Our CEO, John Wilson, Honoured with British Empire Medal for Services to Seafarers!
John Wilson received his British Empire Medal on Thursday 22nd May 2025 at the Rackets Club, Liverpool. The award was presented by Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside. Photograph from left to right: Billy Hui, High Sheriff of Merseyside, Peter Woods, Deputy Lieutenant, Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant, John Wilson, BEM, Hannah McMichael, Sally Wilson, Councillor Jane Burns, Mayor of Sefton, Marlene Amoo, Deputy Lieutenant
Our CEO, John Wilson, Honoured with British Empire Medal for Services to Seafarers
We are incredibly proud to announce that John Wilson, our dedicated Chief Executive here at Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC), has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM). This esteemed recognition is for his services to seafarers' welfare, highlighting his commitment and contributions to improving the lives of those who work tirelessly at sea.
John received his British Empire Medal on Thursday 22nd May 2025, at the Rackets Club in Liverpool. The award was presented by Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.
A Journey Dedicated to Welfare
John's path to leading the Liverpool Seafarers Centre has been a diverse and impactful one. After leaving Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles to pursue his education in Birmingham, he graduated from the University of Surrey. His early career saw him gain extensive experience across the UK, Europe, and Africa with an international hospitality consulting group. He then transitioned to the independent sector, taking on roles within NHS and independent hospitals.
Reflecting on his time with us, John shared what he’s most proud of: "Over the years at Liverpool Seafarers Centre, we have aimed to create a home away from home for seafarers. From enhancing our facilities to offering a wide range of support services, every initiative is driven by the desire to improve seafarer well-being."
Addressing the Challenges Seafarers Face
John is keenly aware of the significant challenges seafarers face today, including loneliness, isolation, restricted shore leave, long contracts, minimum crewing, and fast vessel turnarounds. He firmly believes that more can be done to address these issues through "improved welfare facilities, from the quality of accommodation and provisions to ensuring access to shore leave and free WiFi. Shorter contracts and greater attention to working hours and rest periods are also crucial."
For John, the most rewarding part of his work at LSC is the direct impact we have on seafarers' lives. "Meeting with seafarers, both men and women, and being able to make a positive difference, even through a welcoming smile or by fulfilling their needs and wishes, is incredibly fulfilling."
Get Involved and Make a Difference!
John's advice to anyone interested in supporting seafarer welfare is clear: "Get involved. It can be challenging yet rewarding where you can make a difference in so many ways, from helping to distribute basic supplies or driving our crew minibus, to simply welcoming seafarers to our centre and serving them a drink. Even a few hours of your time can help us greatly." He proudly added, "We have only this week been awarded with UK Best Place To Work accreditation, which is a testament to the commitment of our team to building a welcoming and supportive community for everyone."
Our Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, we at Liverpool Seafarers Centre have ambitious goals. "Our aspiration is to continually improve our facility, offering 24-hour access to ensure seafarers can utilise our services at a time that suits their schedules," John explains. "We also intend to create satellite drop-in centres in other nearby port locations to extend our reach and support to more seafarers."
A Team Effort
For John, the BEM award holds deep personal and professional significance. "This recognition belongs to the entire team at Liverpool Seafarers Centre – our dedicated staff members and invaluable volunteers. Without their tireless efforts, our service provision simply would not exist."
We are incredibly proud of John and the entire team for this well-deserved honour. It truly reflects our collective commitment to supporting seafarers.
