Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation names Diana Pearson as CEO

March 2025

The Trustees of the Royal Merchant Navy Education Foundation (RMNEF) are pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs Diana Pearson as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). In this role, Diana will lead the charity into its next phase of growth, driving strategic initiatives, and advancing the charity’s mission of providing educational support to the children of Merchant Navy seafarers. Diana’s key goals are to bring the charity into a new modern phase, establishing, maintaining and building on existing relationships with other maritime and education charities, enabling the Foundation to be at the forefront of people’s minds, when it comes to supporting the educational needs of children and young adults.

The RMNEF was established in 1827 as an Orphan Asylum, tasked with providing board and lodging for the orphans of British Merchants’ Seamen. Over time, the Foundation has evolved and is now an educational Charity providing funding to the children of Merchant Navy seafarers, professional sea-going fishermen, RNLI lifeboat crew members, the RFA and others with merchant maritime connections. The Foundation endeavours to support the education and maintenance of their beneficiaries, where they are not in a financial position to help themselves.

With over ten years of experience at the RMNEF, Diana brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. During this time Diana, worked very closely with both Commander Charles Heron-Watson and Ms Linda Cotton, after the death of Charles in 2023.

“I’m honoured to take on the role of CEO at such an exciting time for the RMNEF” said Diana, “The charity has a rich history of providing support to children and I am eager to work with the team in the office, as well as continuing to build strong relationships with other maritime charities to push the boundaries of what we can achieve. However, my main focus will be to continue to provide support to beneficiaries and their families. I am confident that together, we will accomplish even greater things in the years ahead.”

“We are thrilled to have Diana at the helm of the Foundation” said Ms Lesley Robinson, Chair of Trustees. “With her knowledge, strategic thinking, and leadership, we are confident that Diana is the right person to lead the Charity through its next chapter of growth and success.”

For more information about the RMNEF, please visit www.rmnef.org.uk or contact the office on (01488) 567890 or office@rmnef.org.uk