Sir Timothy Laurence appointed IMRF patron

Vice admiral Sir Timothy Laurence replaces the IMO’s secretary-general emeritus Sir Efthimios Mitropoulos,who stepped down earlier this year, having been in the role since 2012.

Laurence served in the British Royal Navy from the early 1970s upon leaving the University of Durham before retiring in 2010. He was appointed to the Governing Council of the UK’s Royal National Lifeboat Institution in 2004, then to the Trustee Board and Chairman of the Operations Committee in 2011. He later became deputy chairman of the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution ) Board and, on retirement from the Board in 2020, became a vice president.

As patron, will be expected to be a leading voice and advocate for the work of the IMRF and maritime SAR organisations around the world, which protect and save lives at sea.

“It is an honour to be appointed the new patron of the IMRF, and I look forward to working closely with the organisation, its members and SAR personnel worldwide to advance the cause of safety at sea,” Laurence said.

IMRF chief executive officer Caroline Jupe, pictured right, said: “The IMRF and its membership continue to play a major role in the maritime SAR sector as we look to prevent loss of life in the world’s waters. Sir Tim has agreed to join the IMRF community as our new Patron, and I’m excited to see how we can work together to bolster the maritime SAR sector, tackle critical issues facing the sector and advance key initiatives to improve the lives of those working in a challenging industry.”