The Historic Dockyard Chatham has appointed three new trustees to its board as the charity begins delivering its 10-year strategy. Doug Bannister, Sarah Dance, and Tom Wright CBE join the board as the trust looks to build on more than four decades of award-winning preservation and redevelopment of The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The new appointments bring expertise spanning heritage, tourism, creative industries, and international maritime sectors.
The arrival of the new trustees comes alongside a planned change in leadership for the trust. In November 2026, Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell KCB CBE will succeed Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE DL as Chair, following Sir Trevor’s 10-year tenure in the role.
The trust’s new strategy sets out a vision for The Historic Dockyard Chatham to become a world-leading maritime heritage destination, focused on three core priorities: audience, preservation, and resilience. The new trustees strengthen the board, bringing complementary skills and experience that will support these ambitions and help shape the Dockyard’s next phase.
Doug Bannister brings more than 35 years of experience in international business and maritime commerce. Currently Chief Executive of the Port of Dover and Chair of the British Ports Association, his career includes senior executive roles with Ports of Jersey, P&O Nedlloyd, and Maersk Line UK & Ireland.
Doug Bannister said, “I am delighted to be joining the board of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust. It is an amazing institution and has seen tremendous development over the past few years, both to enhance the visitor experience and to preserve its rich heritage. I am honoured to be able to play a part in the Dockyard’s future.”
Sarah Dance is a strategic consultant for the cultural and creative industries with over 30 years of experience. Former Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), she co-led the vision for the Thames Estuary Production Corridor and was founding Chair of Creative Estuary.
Sarah Dance said, “The Historic Dockyard Chatham is an extraordinary asset with immense potential to drive the growth of the creative and cultural sector across Medway, Kent, and the wider Thames Estuary. I am thrilled to join the board at such an exciting moment, and I look forward to working with the team to leverage the Dockyard’s unique heritage assets to create new opportunities for creative enterprise.”
Tom Wright CBE brings extensive experience across marketing, tourism, heritage, and museums, including previous leadership roles as Chief Executive of VisitBritain and trustee of the Imperial War Museum. He currently serves as Chair of Hampshire Cultural Trust and Trustee of Royal Navy Museums.
Tom Wright CBE said, “I am delighted to be joining the board. I have a huge interest in naval history and heritage, with experience from both the Imperial War Museum and Royal Navy Museums, and it will be a great honour to contribute to the continued success of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, which is steeped in 400 years of naval history.”
Admiral Sir Trevor Soar said, “Doug, Sarah and Tom each bring exceptional experience and insight from sectors that are important to us. Their expertise will strengthen the board at a pivotal time, as we start to put our 10-year strategy into action. The Historic Dockyard Chatham has been transformed over the past four decades, and these appointments will help ensure it continues to grow as a world-leading maritime heritage destination and remains relevant to the audiences of the future.”
Established in 1984, the trust has spent over 40 years transforming the former Royal Dockyard into a thriving mixed-use heritage destination. With a reinforced board and clear strategic direction, the charity is well placed to deliver its long-term ambitions while remaining firmly anchored in its charitable purpose of preserving The Historic Dockyard Chatham and sharing its extraordinary stories.
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