Published 2 January 2019

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) are excited to announce that Mike Owen will take on the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees and replaces the outgoing Dawn Whittaker, as the organisation heads into 2019.

Joining Mike, Maggie Bradley and Richard Rickwood are announced as two brand new additions to the Board of Trustees.

As RLSS UK looks to cement its position as the leading provider of training and education in water safety, drowning prevention and life support skills in the UK, the new appointments signal an influx of valuable skills and experience at both strategic and governance levels, aiming to future-proof the organisation with a diverse and dynamic board.

Mike Owen

Mike has 25 years’ management and board experience and joins RLSS UK with a wealth of additional freelance Board/strategy consultant and interim/change CEO expertise. He specialises in not-for-profit bodies, membership associations and family-run enterprises.  

Mike is senior partner at management consultancy Owen Morris Strategic, which he co-founded, he has an MBA and volunteers as a mentor for Aston Business School.

Mike’s focus will be to work with the Board of Trustees, to provide high levels of strategic insight to shape and govern the future direction of the organisation.

Maggie Bradley

Maggie joins RLSS UK as an appointed Trustee.

Maggie has spent 30 plus years in the financial services sector, latterly working in wealth and asset management roles providing advice to private clients on wealth management.

In 2013, Maggie took up a specialised role at Coutts and Co of providing investment advice to charities, foundations and not-for-profit organisations. This has given her great insight into the considerable contribution this sector makes, the challenges it faces and an understanding of the need for good governance.

She has also undertaken a number of roles that involved managing, coaching and mentoring teams.

Richard Rickwood

Richard also joins RLSS UK as an appointed Trustee and brings with him acumen from a business career spanning over 30 years.

Richard is ACII qualified and has spent the majority of his career in financial services, he is a Chartered Insurer and has an MBA.

He specialises in leading change and aims to position RLSS UK’s trading subsidiaries as unrivalled in their sector, providing a sustainable footing for the charity’s wider aims and ambitions.

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Jo Talbot

With over 20 years’ experience in leisure industry management and having spent the last few months as Interim Director of IQL UK, RLSS UK are delighted to confirm Jo’s appointment as Director of IQL UK.

Jo’s experience will ensure IQL UK continues to be at the forefront of creative, proactive and robust vocational and non-vocational awards, qualifications, training and support provision, for the leisure industry.

“It’s a very exciting transitional time for RLSS UK and there’s certainly a lot going on,” explains outgoing RLSS UK CEO, Di Steer.

“As a charity with trading subsidiaries, we are in a relatively unique position in the sector and it would be tempting to think we can rest on our laurels. However, we recognise that we can’t take anything for granted.”

“These new appointments are crucial for the growth and development of RLSS UK as an organisational whole.” Di continues, “new ideas and innovations in leadership style will guide our journey for years to come. On a personal note, as our recruitment of a new CEO continues, I am proud and confident that I leave RLSS UK in the best possible position.”

“So, if you’re looking for an executive challenge and want a role where you can really have an impact on lifesaving work, we would like to hear from you!”

To find out more about the role of Chief Executive Officer, please call Ben Pountney at Harris Hill charity recruitment specialists on: 0207 820 7318 or visit:

harrishill.co.uk/job/chief-executive-1/