Staff Biographies

Alan is the Managing Director of Goodchild Marine and is at the heart of the whole operation.
His affinity with boats began at the tender age of 15 when he gained work experience with boat builders Jack Powles in Great Yarmouth. He went on to take up an apprenticeship with Maycraft Boat Service Limited in Potter Heigham building wooden clinker boats.
In 1978, at just 19, he founded Goodchild Marine and began to build wooden beach fishing skiffs.
By converting some piggeries at Scratby he set up a yard and while there he produced the first fibreglass fishing boat to go into service in Great Yarmouth.
As the business and workforce grew Alan began to look for more suitable premises and chose an existing boat building shed in North River Road, Great Yarmouth, for the interim period. He used the site to build Caister Lifeboat.
His father found the current site at Burgh Castle Marina and the business has soared.
Alan’s expertise has helped him develop working partnerships with designers and boat builders across the world to help provide the very best tools, facilities, services and boat range for clients.
And he never rests on his laurels. He continually seeks to build on the company’s success with his innovative ideas and ambition to provide the best and most efficient boats.

Steve is General Manager and has been working in the boat building industry for 30 years.
After attending Norwich City College he worked within the luxury boatbuilding sector before joining Goodchild Marine 18 years ago.
Steve’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of construction methods is fundamental in developing solutions for our customers. This is continued through to delivery with overall responsibility over works.
He has successfully delivered a varied range of standard and bespoke projects and his experience, knowledge and expertise allow him to understand customer requirements and deliver practical, cost effective solutions.
Steve has control of the company’s purchasing function, suppliers and sub-contractors and ensures that all orders take into account the overall project programme and purchasing lead times.
Under Steve’s watchful eye materials and equipment purchased for the project are always delivered within deadline and meet the required standards.

Tony is Goodchild Marine’s Business Development Manager and uses his experience and skills to work with commercial boat operators across the UK and beyond.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1982 before joining the British Police Service, serving a total of 32 years.
He gained skills and experience covering both operational and organisational leadership, project management, procurement, significant change management and technology integration.
During his police days he was the purchaser of commercial vessels and responsible for marine operations in the Solent area.
He lectures on UK harbour master training and British marine courses and acts as a speaker at various marine and maritime conferences.
Tony is an invited industry member of the All Party Ports and Maritime Group that meets in Parliament.
He is also a careers ambassador – a voluntary role within the British Marine trade association in promoting the marine industry as a career option.