Our Trustees

	Jim Sullivan

	Vice Chairman, Fundraising Manager & Marine Engineering Manager – Jim joined SMH in October 2015, initially to work on Willdora’s engine. He was subsequently invited to join the Board of Trustees and in February 2018 became Vice-Chairman. Jim trained as a Marine Engineer in the Merchant Navy, serving 4 years deep sea on various cargo vessels. He then worked at the Wear dockyard as a Marine Fitter. Jim then pursued a career in the oil and gas industry, progressing to Offshore Installation Manager, before moving on shore to manage a gas terminal on Teesside. Jim took early retirement in December 2015 and spent his last three years working in Shetland, managing the Sullom Voe oil and gas terminal.

	Ian Murray

	Treasurer – Ian started volunteering for SMH in 2015. One of his first jobs as an Administration Assistant was to sort out the heritage centre’s collection of maritime-themed books. He became treasurer in 2016.

	Linda Merritt

	Secretary – Linda joined SMH in December 2019 following her early retirement from a medical training company in Hertfordshire and relocation to the north-east. Having worked extensively in office management and financial roles all her working life, her forte is procedural and operational management. Her father was in the Merchant Navy and sailed on the inaugural voyages of several ships built on the Wear.

	Bob Crompton

	Trustee & Electrical Engineering Manager Bob joined SMH when he moved to Sunderland in 2016. Bob has been interested in boats since he was a lad. He learnt to sail in his father’s dinghy when he was just 8-years-old and went on to sail and maintain father’s various sailing cruisers. He acquired mechanical skills and trained as an Electronics and Electrical Engineer, which equipped him for a 32-year career in aerospace. Bob retired in 2002 and is currently part-time lecturer and module tutor for the University of Warwick. He has also owned a canal narrowboat for 25 years and sailed as Assistant Engineer on the tall ships Stavros S Niarchos and Prince William. He has also undertaken all of the wiring work on Willdora.

	Fred Gooch

	*Trustee & HMS Venerable* Project Manager** Fred joined SMH in April 2015. Fred’s first job was working in a printers, then in wine and spirits and then the spares department at Coles Cranes. He then headed to Sunderland Shipbuilders, as a Technical Clerk, and he eventually became a Buyer. While Fred was working in the shipyard he started to build models of ships that were being built in the yard. When the yards closed in 1988, he worked in Barrow-in-Furness as a model maker. Now retired, Fred has his own dedicated space for his models in the SMH visitor centre – The Fred Gooch Gallery.

	John Sumner

	Trustee & Creative Director – John first came into contact with SMH in 2005, when he was commissioned to write, produce and perform in a short play about Jack Crawford, the Sunderland sailor. John later became a volunteer with SMH and worked extensively on the restoration of the Willdora. He has lived and worked in Sunderland all his life. He started his engineering apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce Aerospace in 1974 and remained with the company for 28 years in various posts. He was also an active crew member for Sunderland RNLI for 3 years. Over the last 17 years John has worked extensively in film, TV and radio – recently working with Ken Loach and appearing in “I Daniel Blake” as the CV Manager. Now, John produces short promotional films for SMH.

	Peter Bryce

	Trustee & Visitor Experience Manager – Peter has long been involved with the sea, starting in his teens at Sunderland Yacht Club as a crew member, involved in racing and tours. He also served as a crew member of the Sunderland RNLI. His father was a bosun in the Merchant Navy and his great grandfather worked in the shipyards.

	Capt. Peter Johnson

	Trustee & Health & Safety Manager Peter has been a volunteer with SMH since 2016. Peter joined the Merchant Navy in 1971 at the age of 16 and sailed worldwide on a variety of ships. He progressed through the ranks as Third Mate, Second Mate and Chief Officer, before becoming a Master Mariner in 1985. He served as a Master Mariner for 16 years. He then came ashore and worked for two different shipping companies over 12 years, as Marine Superintendent. Peter is now a skipper on small passenger vessels on the River Tyne and Water Patrol Officer on the River Wear.

	Capt. Peter Wynn

	Trustee & Marine Advisor– After leaving school (Bede) Peter did a year at SSMTC (South Shields) learning Navigation etc. He then served an apprenticeship with Common Bros of Newcastle as Navigation apprentice. He then pursued his career and passed the Masters examination in 1970. He served with several shipping Companies and was promoted to Master in 1974 while with World Wide Shipping of Hong Kong. He then served as Master until retirement in 2003.

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