October 15, 2025
Former Government Maritime Director joins The Seafarers’ Charity
Petra Wilkinson CBE, former Director of Maritime at the UK Department for Transport, has joined The Seafarers’ Charity as a trustee. With nearly 40 years in government service, she led key initiatives such as the UK’s Maritime 2050 strategy and Covid-19 maritime response. Petra will be officially appointed at the charity’s 2026 annual meeting.
Petra was previously Maritime Director at the Department for Transport (DfT), where she spent a nearly 40-year career. After joining in 1986 she went on to hold a wide variety of policy and operational roles.
She led the UK’s maritime response to crucial issues such as the Covid pandemic and French border closures, while overseeing delivery of the UK's ‘Maritime 2050’ and ‘Future of Freight’ strategies. She was also responsible for fostering close links between the DfT and the International Maritime Organization.
“We are privileged that someone of Petra’s calibre has agreed to join our board. Knowledgeable, experienced trustees are key to our ongoing success, and I am confident Petra will add immense value to the charity over her term.” - Deborah Layde, chief executive of The Seafarers’ Charity.
Petra will be officially appointed at The Seafarers’ Charity 2026 annual meeting. The charity was founded in 1917 and serves as the world’s central fundraising grant funder for maritime welfare charities, granting more than £2m each year.
It advocates on a range of seafarer wellbeing issues such as financial security, abandonment, exploitative working practices, and psychological wellbeing.
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“It is an honour and a privilege to join the Seafarers Charity as a trustee. I have witnessed first-hand, especially during Covid, just what a difference the charity makes. With a deep respect for the maritime community and a background working within government, I look forward to supporting the charity’s vital mission to improve the life of seafarers and their families.”
Petra Wilkinson CBE
Petra was awarded ‘UK Female of the Year’ by the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association in 2023. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to transport security.
“Petra has had an enviable career at the highest levels of the UK’s transport space. Her maritime expertise will be invaluable in delivering our charity’s vision where seafarers all over the world are free from need and disadvantage.” - Paul Butterworth, chair of trustees at The Seafarers’ Charity.
