Our team of Regional Ambassadors represent the President and the wider work of the Royal Life Saving Society UK and Ireland.

The RLSS UK President’s Ambassadors represent our President within the regions that they are based. They will support the local branches if required and may attend branch meetings, local events and presentations. 

If you would like to contact the Ambassador for your region, please email us at [email protected]

David Browne - Ireland David started lifesaving when he joined his local club as a teenager. Soon after taking his lifesaving awards, he began teaching with the same club and he’s still at it! David was first encouraged by his Club Chair to get involved with RLSS UK and has gone on to become a Trainer Assessor for pool and beach lifeguards, additionally advising the Society on the development of the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). David also enjoys participating in lifesaving sport from Branch and Regional levels right up to national, European and World Championships! First and foremost, David is passionate about promoting involvement with RLSS UK so that as many people as possible, can enjoy being part of the great lifesaving community.
Richard Timms - Northern Ireland Based in Northern Ireland, Richard's career has spanned over 25 years in local authority leisure management, followed by running his own leisure-based training and development business specialising in swimming teaching, lifeguard training and open water swimming coaching. A member of the RLSS for over 30yrs having been awarded the Certificate of thanks in recognition of valuable services rendered to the Society he has been dedicated to the promotion of water safety education all his life.
David Ward – East  I have been a member of RLSS UK since 1978, having completed the Bronze Medallion at 14. From here the West Cambridgeshire branch encouraged me to progress through the teaching and examiners courses and become a Mentor for Lifesaving. Due to work commitments, in 1996, I moved and joined the Bedfordshire branch where I am now the Chairperson and also progressed to joining the College of Referees and reaching International level. Additionally, have obtained my NTA Lifesaving whilst in this branch.
Paul Moore – East Midlands Paul has been involved in lifesaving since the early 1970’s competing in the National Lifesaving Championships for the first time in 1972. His involvement with RLSS UK has been consistent from this time, as a competitor, trainer/assessor, coach, judge and national committee member. Paul has organised and helped out at several lifesaving clubs over the years and still actively manages one.  He is also the current RLSS UK Nottinghamshire Branch Chair. Paul feels passionately about the aims of RLSS UK and about lifesaving in throughout the East Midlands in particular.
Zelah Weedy – North East Zelah has been involved in lifesaving for over 40 years, from completing her bronze Bronze Medallion at 14, working her way through the programmes to become a lifesaving trainer, mentor, and sport referee. Zelah is welfare officer at Blyth Lifeguard & Swimming Club, and continues to officiate at lifesaving championships around the world, as well as organising team trips to local, national and international competitions. Through her employment, Zelah is responsible for coordinating the “learn to swim” programme which includes rookie lifeguard, and organises all staff training including the delivery of the NPLQ course.
Mike Wardle - North West Mike started his lifesaving involvement at 14 years of age, completing his Bronze Medallion during swimming lessons at school and has been involved in lifesaving ever since. He has gone on to be involved in lifesaving sport competitions, both as a competitor and judge, become a grade one examiner and teacher at his local club and is a qualified lifesaving tutor. Mike has been the Chair of the Manchester & District Branch for many years and grass-roots community lifesaving work is still a passion of his.
Sheena Harper - Scotland Sheena has been involved in lifesaving for around 50 years, initially doing a Bronze Medallion course but quickly becoming hooked on all aspects of RLSS UK and its aims. In that time, Sheena has undertaken many roles within the society, from taking meeting minutes to going on to be a Branch and Regional Chair. Sheena’s work has always been in a voluntary capacity, valuing the importance of the work done by both volunteers and the head office team. Currently, Sheena is actively involved in lifesaving sport as an International B official, whereas locally, she teaches first aid and community awards.
Jill Bailey - South  Jill has been involved with RLSS UK for over 45 years. She took up lifesaving following a Girlguiding holiday on the coast and has held a variety of lifesaving roles including voluntary lifeguard and rescue boat helm on the River Thames, NVBLQ Trainer Assessor, Branch Vice Chair and Branch President. Jill takes every opportunity to raise awareness of RLSS UK. She enjoys supporting Branches and clubs in the South Region, and is keen to ensure young people have the same opportunities as she has had through volunteering with the Society.
Cavell Burchell - South East Cavell joined Bexley Life Saving Club in 1970 following the death by drowning of a friend of his father. Completing awards through to the Bronze Medallion, he then assisted in the teaching of junior members. He spent many years undertaking pool & open water voluntary lifeguard patrols and was also employed as a pool lifeguard with two London Boroughs. In 1976 he became involved with the Kent Branch initially representing his own club, but later was elected to the Branch Executive Committee as Water Safety Officer. Cav has subsequently held many offices including President, Chair and Secretary. Currently a RLSS Commonwealth Trustee he is also the Vice-chair of the ILS(E) Drowning Prevention Commission and Chair of the ILS(E) Child Drowning Prevention Working Group.
Liz Mapstone - West Liz joined Wells Life Saving Club in 1978 and has never looked back! Her enthusiasm and experience has been invaluable as an RLSS UK Tutor and member of the College of Referees. Liz remains passionate about the work of RLSS UK, particularly giving members opportunities to get involved in all aspects of lifesaving including open water training, competing, teaching, volunteering and promoting water safety. She says that she appreciates the time that has been invested into her lifesaving journey over the years and is grateful to now be in a position where she give some of her time to support RLSS UK work at a regional level.
Steve Carter - West Midlands Steve has been volunteering for RLSS UK for over 25 years, becoming a member of the Shropshire Branch in 2005 and going on to become Branch Chair in 2012, where he continues in this role today. Steve works with volunteers and those from other partner organisations, delivering water safety and drowning prevention messages at community events in the local area, all supporting the aims of the charity and ensuring awareness of RLSS UK’s work. In 2016, Steve became the Leisure Services Training Specialist and On-call Duty Officer for Safeguarding for Telford & Wrekin Council, a role that includes delivering RLSS UK First Aid courses to members of staff. Steve holds a number of Trainer and Assessor awards for RLSS UK, and recently represented RLSS UK on BBC Breakfast to speak about the Save a Baby’s Life course.