News

As we celebrated the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III on 14 November, we were also proud to congratulate the three outstanding Sea Cadets units who have been named as recipients of the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025: Greenwich, Deptford & Rotherhithe Unit (TS Dreadnought); Sefton Unit (TS Starling); and Twickenham Unit (TS Saumarez).

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the UK’s highest form of recognition for community groups and is considered to be the equivalent of an MBE. Their awards are a truly remarkable achievement, given that across the UK only 231 local charities, volunteer groups and social enterprises are receiving this rare honour in 2025.

The incredible volunteers at all three units have worked tirelessly to provide a wide range of activities and learning experiences for their cadets: helping local young people to gain skills, achieve qualifications and improve their confidence and wellbeing. Together, these passionate individuals give thousands of hours each year to enriching young lives and developing the community leaders of the future.

It is a great honour for everyone at MSSC to feature in an awards scheme established as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2002, to mark the Golden Jubilee of our former patron, Queen Elizabeth II. We are delighted that the awards were continued by His Majesty The King following his accession, and immensely grateful that our volunteer-led units have been rewarded for their selfless dedication to serving local young people. 

Over the coming months, the three units will look forward to the formal presentation of the award crystal and certificate by their Lord-Lieutenant, as the representative of HM King Charles III. Volunteer representatives of each unit will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace next summer, in recognition of the efforts of their unit’s trustees, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, parents/carers and supporters.

BZ to all three units and to everyone who has played a part in this unique achievement!

Sea Cadets is proud to share the exciting news of awards for a national employee and a London Area volunteer in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours.

Paul Wilkinson awarded an MBE for services to youth work
We’re delighted to celebrate the announcement that Paul Wilkinson, our Director of Young People, Volunteer & Business Support, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in recognition of his outstanding service to youth work.

Paul’s decades of tireless volunteering and charity leadership have enhanced the lives of thousands of young people across the UK and beyond. Through his work with both Sea Cadets and the Scouts, Paul has been an inspirational champion of youth development and has pioneered the expansion of activities in marginalised communities.

Reflecting on his achievement, Paul said:

“I am really honoured to have been awarded an MBE for youth work. I know the difference Sea Cadets makes in launching young people for life and I have been passionate about making it available to even more young people across the UK. It is of course a team effort, and I simply couldn’t have achieved this without the support of hundreds of volunteers, colleagues and others over the years.”

Over the years, Paul has:

• Led Sea Cadets’ response to Covid-19, transforming online support and enabling a swift and safe return to face-to-face training.
• Driven the ‘Future Ready’ strategic plan to deliver sustainable growth for Sea Cadets, overseeing the opening of 100 new sections in underserved areas.
• Given over 5,000 young people from disadvantaged communities the opportunity to discover boating and water sports through Sea Cadets’ ‘On the Water’ project.
• Helped sea cadets shape their experience and influence their charity’s direction through the ‘Cadet Voice’ programme.

Paul has also been a volunteer for over 40 years with the Scouts – a charity where he played a major role in growing numbers, developing ‘flexible volunteering’, and leading inclusivity initiatives that have increased access to youth programmes nationwide and internationally.

This well-deserved honour recognises a career – and a calling – dedicated to creating brighter futures for young people. Congratulations, Paul!

Nina Villa awarded a British Empire Medal for her contribution to Cheshunt Unit
We are also thrilled that the unstinting dedication of Sea Cadets volunteer Nina Villa has been rewarded with a British Empire Medal for services to young people. A former cadet who stayed on as a volunteer, Nina rose through the ranks to become Commanding Officer at the former Willesden & St Marylebone Unit before becoming a valued leader at Cheshunt Sea Cadets – where she has had a transformative impact in recent years.

Nina’s honour was in recognition of her achievements since becoming Chair of Cheshunt Unit in 2018. “I came out of uniform and joined the UMT around 2018 to help get Cheshunt back on its feet and am still their Vice Chair, as well as Area Chair for London,” said Nina, who manages her volunteering commitments around her day job as Executive Director of Membership at Royal British Legion.

During her time as Chair, Nina oversaw the stabilisation of the Unit Management Committee and inspired an impressive increase in fundraising. Together with her tireless work to build public and local council support, this funding allowed Nina to secure permanent new premises which have boosted unit morale and created a platform for sustained growth and success. Her inspirational efforts have also allowed further investment in facilities and equipment, giving cadets many more opportunities to gain qualifications and take part in community events and competitions.

The British Empire Medal is a fitting reward for such outstanding leadership and commitment to developing young people. BZ Nina!

Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Guy Holloway as its new Chief Executive, effective 16 May 2025.

Guy joins MSSC with nearly 20 years of experience in the charity sector, dedicated to supporting young people and delivering life-changing opportunities globally. His career includes leadership roles in organisations such as the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, where he played a key role in empowering young women worldwide.

Guy will officially join MSSC on 1 May 2025, undertaking a two-week handover period with outgoing CEO Martin Coles CBE, who has led the charity with distinction for 15 years.

On his appointment, Guy said:
"I am thrilled to be joining MSSC and working alongside the incredible staff, volunteers, and cadets who make this organisation so impactful. The traditions, values, and sense of purpose that define MSSC create a powerful environment for young people and seafarers alike. I look forward to building on the charity’s successes and ensuring we continue to provide exceptional opportunities for those we serve."

MSSC Chair, Jeremy Penn, welcomed Guy to the role, stating:
"We are delighted to have Guy on board as our new Chief Executive. His passion for youth development, combined with his strategic leadership experience, makes him an excellent fit for MSSC as we continue to grow and evolve. We are confident that under his leadership, MSSC will continue to thrive and provide outstanding support to young people and seafarers."

MSSC extends its sincere thanks to Martin Coles CBE for his dedicated leadership and the impact he has had on the organisation over the past 15 years.

We look forward to introducing Guy to our wider community over the coming months.

Sea Cadets, Girlguiding, St John Ambulance, and The Scout Association have joined forces with other national volunteer-based charities, MPs, and civil society leaders to call on the UK Government to introduce 35 hours of paid statutory volunteering leave per year.

In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the coalition highlights the urgent need to support and grow the country’s volunteer workforce. Volunteer participation has dropped to record lows, threatening the sustainability of key community and youth services.

The proposed solution – a statutory right to volunteer leave – would empower employees to engage with local charities, helping to reverse the decline in volunteering and strengthen national social cohesion.

Martin Coles CBE, CEO of Sea Cadets, explained:

“Many employers already offer volunteer leave, but a national policy would level the playing field. This is an opportunity to build a culture of service where everyone has the chance to contribute, without financial penalties.”

The letter has been signed by cross-party MPs and key figures from the third sector, including the Women’s Institute, British Exploring Society, and Dogs for Good, showing broad support for this initiative.

The petition can be signed by clicking here. 

Pre-conference challenge for Workshop One, The Digital Cadet

Find five pictures with clues, to work out a phrase. Picture and clues are numbered, so you know which order they should appear in the phrase. All clues have the title ‘Cadet Conference 2025’.

2. Picture and clue two

When you owe someone something you are in ‘what’ to them?

Whilst you are here, have a look about. Think about what else you would like to see, find or use? You will have a chance to share these as part of Workshop One – The Digital Cadet.

Collect all five clues. Pictures and clues can be found in the following places:

1. All volunteer email and T&A/Members Area – ask you CO/OiC/UTO for the details

2. Sea Cadets website – News - You’ve found this one!

3. Programmes online – Latest activities

4. The Sea Cadet Digital Magazine, in the Giving cadets a voice / Cadet Voice article, under FEATURES

5. Sea Cadets Portal – News feed

Have you found all the clues yet? If yes, go to Cadet Conference – The Challenge to send us your answer!