Mark Todd, Chair of Trustees for the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO) and Chief Executive of OYT South has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list.
The citation says: “For services to Sailing and to Young People.”
Mark has been a member of ASTO’s Board of Trustees since 2019 and Chair since 2021. In addition he is Chief Executive of Ocean Youth Trust South, he is an RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, a Yachtmaster Examiner, and sits on the Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel, as well as recently being invited to become a Younger Brother of Trinity House.
Todd commented “I have been involved in sail training for 25 years and I can honestly say it is the best activity I have ever come across for promoting confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication and problem-solving – as well as friendship, fun and adventure.”
Sail training has certainly changed my own life. Having spent a good part of my childhood in and out of hospital due to scoliosis, missing out on a lot of education, when I told a teacher that I wanted to go to university they openly laughed in my face – and my parents were very much against me taking up dinghy sailing. So even though I became a lawyer, I went on to become a sail training skipper before taking on my current role.
“Every day in sail training you meet wonderful young people – many of whom face their own challenges in life. I admire how they can embrace opportunity and valiantly try to find their way in an increasingly complex world. Many meet those challenges in a hugely impressive fashion; others just need a stepping stone to help them get their lives on track, and sail training can often give them that breakthrough moment.”
ASTO is the membership organisation for sail training charities in the UK and it exists to enable its members to transform lives through residential adventure at sea. In 2024, more than 11,000 young people and individuals with disabilities and additional needs sailed with its 31 member charities.
Kerry McMillan, ASTO’s Chief Executive added “We couldn’t be more pleased to see Mark rewarded for his efforts and commitment to sail training and the difference it can and does make for so many young people and individuals with disabilities. His MBE is well deserved.”
Mark concluded: “It feels very special to have been awarded an MBE for my work in sail training. I am passionate about the power of sail training to make a lasting positive difference to young people, and I hope to use this award to bring wider recognition to the industry. Sail training is all about teamwork and although the MBE is a personal award, nothing I do would be possible without the fantastic individuals right across the industry whose work ensures that thousands of young people get the benefit of a life changing experience at sea. I thank everyone who has played a part in my journey so far.”
ENDS