Ocean Youth Trust South’s chief executive Mark Todd has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List ‘For services to Sailing and to Young People’.
Mark has been chief executive of Ocean Youth Trust South since 2010 and was previously staff skipper for nine years.
He is also chair of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, a Yachtmaster Examiner, and sits on the Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel.
He was the inaugural winner in 2011 of the MCA/ASTO Award for Command Commitment to Sail Training and is an Associate Fellow of the Nautical Institute and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.
“It feels very special to have been awarded an MBE for my work in sail training,” said Mark.
“I am passionate about the power of sail training to make a lasting positive difference to young people, and I hope to use this award to bring wider recognition to the industry.
“When I started sailing with the Ocean Youth Trust, I saw at first-hand what sail training can do for young people – improving their wellbeing and helping them reach their true potential.”
He added: “In my time with OYT South and also lately as chair of ASTO, I have sailed and worked with some remarkably interesting, inspiring and extremely dedicated staff and volunteers.
“Sail training is all about teamwork and although the MBE is a personal award, nothing I do would be possible without the fantastic individuals right across the industry whose work ensures that thousands of young people get the benefit of a life changing experience at sea.”
Mark concluded: “Sail training is all about teamwork and although the MBE is a personal award, nothing I do would be possible without the fantastic individuals right across the industry whose work ensures that thousands of young people get the benefit of a life changing experience at sea.”
