New man at the top at IWA
THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has a new national chairman.
A trustee since September 2022, Mike Wills was appointed with immediate effect earlier this month. He has been a supporter of the association for nearly 40 years and a canal enthusiast all his adult life.
Mike, who lives in York, is a chartered accountant and has a background in corporate reorganisation and management.
He said: “Restoration has been key to provide the social and economic public benefits of a connected national inland waterways network.
“Times may be tough for navigation authorities now, but it is so important that we hold the faith with restoration groups and further develop the inland waterways for future generations.”
Mike added that the next few years would see major challenges in maintaining and improving funding for navigation authorities and the sector in general, but IWA’s campaigning spirit and leadership has been gathering support from leading politicians and other influential decision-makers.
Trustees also appointed three deputy national chairmen who will each act as co-ordinator for key aspects of the association’s work: Sue O’Hare for navigation and campaigns; Nick Dybeck for waterway restoration and Peter Marlow for membership and the environment.
It is planned to appoint a fourth deputy to cover finance later in the year.
As a result of the strategic review announced at the 2023 AGM, there is a renewed emphasis on IWA’s campaign work and a renewed commitment to waterway restoration, with Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) a key part of its operations.
Having stabilised its finances, the association is working to reduce the complexity of its financial reporting and expects to show a modest surplus in its 2023 annual accounts.
Trustees agreed that IWA would not be appointing a CEO at this time to succeed Professor Sarah Niblock, who resigned in October, but would be strengthening its campaigning capability by recruiting a campaign manager and strategic lead to work at its Chesham head office (see page 12).
Plans for 2024 include leading the major Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign alongside more than 100 waterway organisations, a reinvigorated Canalway Cavalcade and delivering WRG’s restoration working holidays, Canal Camps, which are back at full strength. A restoration conference is being held in Northampton on Saturday, April 13 and WRG’s training and weekend work parties continue apace.
For further information about the Waterway Restoration Conference turn to the IWA round-up on page 12.