Master & Warden Profiles
Sean Collins
Master
Sean began his career aged 16 in 1984 when he was apprenticed to the Company of Watermen and Lighterman and is a third-generation Waterman. He became a Royal Waterman in 2008, and has taken part in King Charles III coronation, as well as accompanying the new Lord Mayor in the Lord Mayors Show most years. During his career on the River Thames, Sean has worked as a Captain on passenger vessels and tugboats. Sean is a National Rowing Champion and represented Great Britain at an international level, including the World Rowing Championships in the 1980s and 1990s.
Sean has been at the helm of Thames Clippers since the inception of the business in 1999. At that time, they operated one boat with a capacity of just 62 that served three piers and employed two people. Today, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers carries over 5.2 million passengers and employs over 500 people. The business operates 24 vessels, including three hybrids and has a further two fully electric vessels under construction (cross river passenger/cycle ferry and light freight vessel).
In his spare time, he continues to row, barge drive, spends time with his sons, dog walks and he recently bought the local pub in his village.
Senior Warden
Graham Barnard
Graham was brought up in Greenwich and was apprenticed to the Company of Waterman & Lightermen in 1971 by his father. He subsequently; gained his ‘twos’ and Watermen’s Licence becoming a Journeyman Freeman.
He has been fortunate throughout his career to experience the best of both worlds i.e. Cargo Ships and Passenger vessels, and working on ships in various and interesting parts of the River Thames, notably Deptford and Barking Creeks, and Tilbury Dock. He has worked on a wide range of passenger such as the; Silver Barracuda, Naticia, Pride of Greenwich, to name but a few. He today continues to operate a Waterage business further downriver at key shipping berths.
He is currently the Senior Warden on the Court of the Company and pleased to be able to pay back to the life of the Company and the next generation of Watermen & Lightermen.
Junior Wardens
David Beard
David started his career as a Water Clerk for Tate & Lyle in the late 70’s. He then continued his career in shipping by working for International Shipbrokers SSY since 1984. Whilst he has concentrated on the Asian and Greek markets throughout his career, David spent a year on secondment to SSY’s South Africa office within this journey. He is currently a Senior Director, for the Dry Cargo Division within SSY, and heads up their London Cape Team.
David obtained his Freedom of the City of London, and then his Freedom of the Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames and was invited onto the Court in 2019.
Andrew Fenemore-Jones
Andrew was born in West London and grew up on the banks of the Thames at Shepperton. Andrew qualified as a chartered accountant in 1980 and spent his career in Banking and Insurance. His last 16 years in the City being in Marine Insurance where he was introduced to Watermen’s Hall and its charities. Andrew retired in 2008.
In 2001 Andrew became a Freeman of the City of London and in 2003 joined the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames.
Mark Blandford- Baker
Mark is the Bursar at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. Prior to coming to Oxford Mark held similar posts over 18 years in Cambridge.
Away from College, Mark is very involved in rowing and is an international umpire as well as training new domestic umpires, serving on regatta committees, and is a Chairman’s Assistant at Henley Royal Regatta. Mark played rugby into his early 40s but now pulls on only hiking boots and can often be found in the Highlands and the Hebrides.