Sailing towards Chief Executive of the Year

Amanda Butcher, Chief Executive of the Hampshire based Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) has been selected as a finalist for the 'Chief Executive of the Year Award' which will be held at the Rose Bowl on the 26 February 2009.

The Wessex Charity Awards are a new initiative to honour the work undertaken by the charity sector in the Wessex region.

The JST is a registered charity that owns and operates Lord Nelson  and Tenacious, the only two tall ships in the world to be designed and built with the purpose of enabling people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side on equal terms.

Selected by the judging panel from some stiff competition, Amanda, who came to the JST five years ago was described in her nomination as an individual who has 'not only overcome many financial challenges, but has also used her significant leadership skills to move the organisation forward.'

As well as managing an office team of 21 and two ships’ crews totalling staff of nearly 50 people, Amanda still manages to operate a welcoming open door approach in the office and spends as much time on the ships as she can.

Her ability to coordinate the needs of both land and sea-based elements of the charity; more specifically balancing the average annual £2.7 million cost associated with running the two ships as well as an office are a tribute to her success.

Her skill and professionalism have been recognised by the Association of Sail Training Organisations who elected her to be chair of the ASTO Peer Group in 2007.

Amanda is viewed as an extremely caring and compassionate leader at the helm of an organisation that quite literally changes lives. The judges were very impressed by her creative approach to management challenges, as well as the confidence she clearly inspires in her team.

The Awards will be presented at a gala dinner at The Rose Bowl on 26 February 2009.

For more information on the Jubilee Sailing Trust please visit www.jst.org.uk or email info@jst.org.uk For more information on the Wessex Charity Awards please visit www.wessexcharityawards.co.uk