Vacancies for three external harbour board members
Exeter City Council is the Port Authority for the Exe Estuary, some non-tidal sections of the River Exe and the Exeter Ship Canal. This stretches from Blackaller Weir (in Bonhay Road, Exeter) to a safe water mark a mile off the Exmouth beach.
Our Harbour Board sits within the existing committee structure of Exeter City Council. The Board consists of six internal appointments (Exeter City Council Members) and six external representatives who are appointed for a period of three years. The Board reports directly to the Council’s Executive.
The Harbour Board maintains strategic oversight and direction of all aspects of the Harbour operation and will meet at least every three months. Currently the following meeting dates have been identified as: 12 June 2025; 29 September 2025, 11 December 2025 and 5 March 2026. The Board’s duties include monitoring compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code, consulting harbour users and other stakeholders.
Board members use their skills and experience for the long-term benefit of the Port and must be committed to working in its best interests rather than for any particular stakeholder group.
Harbour Board membership is voluntary and undertaken on an expenses-only basis.
External applicants should, ideally, be familiar with the workings of a harbour and its operational environment. It is highly desirable, but not essential, that they either have a Master Mariner qualification (or equivalent) or qualifications in administration and/or financial management. They should also have a broad experience in two or more of the following fields:
- Management of Harbours
- Environmental Management
- Ecology and or Conservation
- Business Development
- Recreational water use
- Legal
- Commercial Operations
- Local Community and Community Development
- Health & Safety
- Tourism and Leisure
- Marine Archaeology and Heritage
Interested applicants, with the relevant background, should request an application form from committee.services@exeter.gov.uk by 5pm, Monday 26 May 2025.
For an informal chat about the role please contact Grahame Forshaw, Harbour Master, and Exeter Port Authority on: 07864 958658 or email grahame.forshaw@exeter.gov.uk.