THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has announced the appointment of Mike Wills as national chairman with immediate effect.
A trustee since September 2022, he has been a supporter of the association for nearly 40 years and a canal enthusiast all his adult life. A chartered accountant, he lives in York and has a background in corporate reorganisation and management.
Three deputy national chairmen have also been appointed, each acting as co-ordinator for key aspects of the association’s work. They are: Sue O’Hare for Navigation and Campaigns; Nick Dybeck for Waterway Restoration and Peter Marlow for Membership and the Environment.
It is planned to appoint a fourth deputy to cover finance later in the year but it is not proposed at this time to appoint a new CEO.
Plans for 2024 include leading the major Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign alongside over 100 waterway organisations, a reinvigorated Canalway Cavalcade and delivering WRG’s restoration working holidays, Canal Camps, which are back at full strength. A restoration conference is being held in Northampton on Saturday April 13 and WRG’s training and weekend work parties continue apace.
