22nd February 2022. On Tuesday the National Coastwatch Institution held a reception in London in the presence of their Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to mark the launch of the charity’s Business Plan 2022-2026.
The daytime Reception took place at the Corporation of Trinity House in London and was attended by some 70 guests including sponsors, YachtMarket.com Ltd, donors, representatives from HM Coastguard, RNLI, Cruising Association, British Marine, RYA, organisations involved in sea safety, journalists from the nautical press and media, publishers, authors, and city livery companies. The event was hosted by the NCI Trustees, national and sector managers, and two patrons, Dame Katherine Grainger DBE, and Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville KCB.
Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, was greeted by Captain Ian McNaught, the Deputy Master of Trinity House, before introducing Clive Pouncey, the Chairman of NCI. Clive introduced the members of the Board of Trustees and our patrons before escorting Her Royal Highness to the Library where she met the assembled guests. At this point Clive officially welcomed the Princess Royal on behalf of the NCI before introducing Trustees Lesley Suddes and Stephen Hand who delivered a briefing on the NCI Business plan. This included an illustrated presentation of the projected plan, which is now underway, and concluded with a speech by The Princess Royal in which Her Royal Highness expressed her admiration for the charity’s work supporting HMCG, the RNLI and other emergency services adding untold value to the United Kingdom’s Search and Rescue capability, and her encouragement to carry out the development plan which will enhance the ability and capacity of the NCI.
After Her Royal Highness had departed, the guests enjoyed a buffet lunch and took the opportunity to talk with the NCI members and learn more about the charity and the Business plan. The photograph (courtesy of Mr Mark Dalton) shows HRH the Princess Royal with NCI National and Sector Managers