The Teignmouth Harbour Revision Order empowers the Commission to discharge its duties and responsibilities and defines the range of skills and experience required in appointing its Commissioners.

Each Commissioner appointed shall be a person who appears to the Commissioners to have special knowledge, experience or ability appropriate to the efficient, effective and economic discharge by the Commissioners of their functions including in particular special knowledge, experience or ability in one or more of the following matters:

• The ports industry;
• Maritime and commercial activities;
• Local public service;
• Boating, tourism and other leisure activities;
• Environmental matters;
• Finance, legal and administration;
• Any other skills and matters considered relevant from time to time by the Commissioners in order for them to discharge their functions. “

Commissioners are appointed for a three year term and can serve a total of three terms apart from the Chair who can serve four. All are unpaid appointments.

Rob Parsons

Chief Executive and Harbour Master

Sue Astbury

Commissioner

Sue joined the board in 2013 and is currently serving as an Anglican Priest in Teignmouth. 20 years in engineering and management in defence industry, latterly as Managing Director and UK Vice President of a global Inertial Products Business. Sailed, rowed and fished on the Teign Estuary for nearly 50 years.

Dan Hallett

Commissioner

Joining the board in 2019, Dan grew up near Newton Abbot before going to University and joining the Royal Navy. Now pursuing a civilian career, Dan joined Teignmouth Harbour Commission to support the environmental sustainability and economic development of the estuary. Dan lives in Shaldon with his wife and two sons and enjoys getting out on the water on his SUP.

Vic Weston

Commissioner

Joining the Board in 2016, following retirement after 37 years teaching Design & Technology. Vic has lived in Teignmouth since 1968, an active member of Teign Corinthian Yacht Club since 1970 and has enjoyed sailing and boating on the river Teign for over 50 years. RYA Yacht Master Offshore, Sailing Dinghy Instructor and Power Boat Certified.

Jude Chilvers

Commissioner

Jude joined THC in 2019, a Teignmouth Fisherman, Ex ABP Teignmouth employee, Member of Teignmouth RNLI for 16 years including crew and helm and a former member of the River Teign Rowing Club. Teignmouth is her home and she cares deeply about the town, the harbour and the estuary

Joanne Sparks

Chair

Joanne joined the Board in 2020, a Teignmouth native she grew up locally with close links to the fishing community. Jo studied at Southampton University and gained a degree in Geology and Oceanography BSc. She enjoys open water swimming in the waters around Teignmouth. Her main focus on the commission is to help secure a sustainable future for the harbour particularly from an environmental perspective.

Derek Davis

Commissioner

Derek joined THC in 2021 following retirement as a Police Diving Supervisor and Marine Unit Coxwain, Deputy Launching Authority at Teignmouth RNLI.

Richard Perks

Vice Chair

Joining the Board in 2023, Richard has 38 years industrial experience. He retired as a Senior Vice President in a multi-national business with responsibility for Programme Management and Operational Strategy. Having a lifelong interest in the sea, Richard has previously been a RYA Coach and Training Centre Inspector. Today he’s a RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor, a Deputy Launching Authority with Teignmouth RNLI and keeps a boat on the river.

Richard Ward

Commissioner

Richard has been a regular visitor to the area as he had close family in Shaldon, relocating here 2016. He has been around boats all his life growing up on one of the 5 boat yards the family owned, before returning to the Insurance Industry. After graduating in law, he joined the family insurance business and became managing director 16 years ago. He specialises in Marine insurance and has extensive knowledge of Leisure / Marine trades claims and is an insurance underwriter in Marine trades & vessels. He is a boat owner, occasional water-skier, and an unsteady paddle boarder. He joined THC to get involved with the local community and help find pragmatic solutions to today’s challenging issues.