There are many types of volunteer at the RNLI – including Stuart Popham, who has taken up the role of chair. So who is the man at the helm of the charity?

Chairing a charity is quite a commitment – why did you choose to take up the role? I have to admit I’m in love with the
RNLI. As a child I used to help my mother collect donations – or at least count the money! And I’ve been involved in sailing all my life. I thought I knew the RNLI from external observations, but what I hadn't fully appreciated until my time as Trustee and Council member is the enthusiasm, dedication and expertise of everyone involved. Be they volunteers, donors, fundraisers or staff – they are all really engaged and that has energised me. What’s the difference between the chief executive and chair? Our Chief Executive, Paul Boissier, is in charge of the business – our activities, and the day-to-day management of the organisation. I know our supporters
will agree he is doing a superb job. The chair has other responsibilities that aren’t managerial. I’m available to offer advice to the executive team, but the priorities are to represent the charity, ensure we are compliant and doing the right thing, and to have a responsibility for our reputation. That’s a challenging but really rewarding role when you consider the RNLI has been around for nearly 200 years. We must stay faithful to the values that our people and supporters have seen and reflected over the years.

And will you have particular areas of focus in your time as chair? What I really want to help ensure is that anyone in the UK and Ireland who is not familiar with the RNLI is better informed. I’m also keen to see what we are going to do to prevent drowning internationally, using our knowledge to benefit others. Like all volunteers, I want to help in whatever way I can to reduce drowning. How does your experience and personality set you in good stead for this role? For 35 years I was a lawyer. That involved dealing with all sorts of issues with all sorts of different people, government representatives, regulators and the like. I feel that will be relevant to the activity as chair. In terms of personality I hope I will show I’m approachable as I meet and work with people from different
backgrounds. That’s really important as I understand the RNLI and spread the message in this more
ambassadorial role. What will be the toughest part of being RNLI chair? Charles Hunter-Pease has left me with one of the world’s most difficult jobs – to follow him! He has spent a huge amount of time being so dedicated and committed. It’s difficult to think how he could be more so.

‘ I want to help in whatever way I can to reduce drowning.’ The thing that stands out from watching him is how he has engaged
with people and expressed gratitude for what everyone has done – it’s ironic that he possibly hasn’t realised quite how much he has done. I will certainly be tapping his knowledge to seek to emulate him.

After working as a solicitor at Clifford Chance for over 35 years, Stuart joined Citigroup in July 2011 as Vice- Chairman of EMEA Banking. He was elected to the RNLI Council in May 2011 and appointed a Trustee in July 2013. He became Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee in 2014 and was appointed RNLI Chairman at the end of September 2016.