Executive Director

Stephen Tudor MRICS FNAEA MARLA is a Chartered Surveyor and Director of a family‑run estate agency and property management business. He served as a Board Member of RYA Cymru Wales from 2015 to 2026, and is the Past Commodore, Past President, and retired Hon. Secretary of CHPSC (Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club). He is also the Hon. Secretary of ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association).

Stephen was Chairman of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s IRC UK Committee from 2015 to 2026, overseeing the UK’s yacht rating rules. He is the former Chairman of the Pwllheli Chamber of Trade and founding Chairman of the Pwllheli Partnership, a community‑focused development group. He is a long‑standing member of the Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee and a retired member of the Coleg Meirion‑Dwyfor College Council.

He is the recipient of multiple awards, including a Special Contribution Award from RYA Cymru Wales, a Lifetime Service Award from RYA, a Special Award from RYA in 2022, and an Irish Sailing award recognising his contribution to Irish sailing and ISORA.

Stephen has developed, manages, and publishes six websites and has supported other sailing clubs with their digital platforms.

Skill areas for Plas Heli: Property, finance, employment, business, marketing, community work, communications, IT, and sailing.

Non‑Executive Director

Michael S Owen holds a Joint Honours degree in Physics and Engineering and is the former Managing Director of Cerrig Ltd, overseeing a team of 35 staff. He is a retired printer and has served nearly 30 years in local government, including Chair of the County Council and numerous committees.

Michael is a long‑standing member of the Pwllheli Harbour Consultative Committee and is employed on an ad‑hoc basis by the Council to write specialist reports. He is also a qualified Mountain Leader (ML) with the British Mountaineering Council.

Skill areas: Management, marketing, strategic planning, report writing, and community engagement.

Non‑Executive Director

Michael Butterfield BA (Hons) Law has been a partner in two law firms and a former Managing Director of a finance company. He has previously served as a Director of the RYA and as a Director — and Chair of the Board — of RYA Cymru Wales.

He is currently a Trustee of two charities and has served on the Legal Committee of the Consumer Credit Association.

Michael is an International Judge, Umpire, and Race Officer, and has extensive governance experience across multiple RYA committees, including the Race Management Committee, Technical Committee, Racing Rules Committee, and the RYA Support Network.

He has previously served as a Yacht Club Commodore and has been Vice Commodore of three clubs. He is currently on the Management Committee of the North‑West Venturers Yacht Club and serves as Commodore of the Conway Club Cruising Association.

Executive Director

Fellow Royal Aeronautical Society, current Airline Training Captain.

Mark has 39 years’ experience working in a safety‑critical industry, holding several posts in addition to the role of Captain, including Flight Manager Birmingham (1999–2002), responsible for the operation of 11 Airbus aircraft and management of 200 pilots.

He has served as an Airtest (CAA) pilot, responsible for the introduction of new aircraft into a major airline, and has 33 years’ experience as an instructor and Civil Aviation Authority examiner, training and testing pilots on both the simulator and aircraft during worldwide operations. He is a specialist in evidence‑based training defined by pilot competencies, embodying teamwork and cockpit resource management.

Away from work, after a break from sailing, Mark returned in 2010 with cruising and racing several boats including ISORA campaigns with class wins, and a long‑distance oceanic race to the Azores and back. He is currently club racing in Pwllheli.

Mark has volunteered with both the sailing club (including six years as a flag officer) since 2013, and at Plas Heli, striving to provide facilities to nurture and encourage all sailing activities, from youngsters starting out all the way to the Olympic pathway. The work undertaken at Plas Heli to improve facilities is vital to attract class associations and give them the opportunity to sail at our incredible venue.

Living in Pwllheli, married to Jo with two grown‑up children, Mark enjoys being part of the community and the amazing place we call home.

Observer

Liaison with CHPSC and RNLI, providing operational coordination between Plas Heli, the sailing club, and local emergency services. Safeguarding Officer for both Plas Heli Cyf and CHPSC, ensuring compliance with RYA safeguarding standards and supporting welfare arrangements during events.

Observer

Mike left school at 17 with six O‑levels and began his career in the Merchant Navy, serving five years as an apprentice and progressing to Third Mate on chemical tankers.

He then spent thirty‑five years in the Fire Service, retiring as a Divisional Officer. His responsibilities included command of an area comprising sixteen stations, and three years as Training Officer, organising training for 1,900 staff across Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and the mainland. During this period, he was tasked with introducing Fire Behaviour Training into the service, supported by a £1.3 million Scottish Government budget.

Closer to home, Mike has sailed from Pwllheli since the age of twelve. His experience includes dinghy racing, sailing with OYT Scotland, twenty‑five years as a boat owner, ISORA racing, and more recently long‑distance cruising. He holds a Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate.

Mike is motivated in this appointment to contribute positively to Plas Heli’s work, supporting continued access to sailing and helping promote the local area.

Directors provide strategic leadership, ensure compliance, support volunteers, and uphold governance standards.

• Set and oversee strategic direction, business plans, policies, and budgets.
• Ensure safe, legal operation in line with Articles of Association.
• Promote best practice in governance, equality, diversity, access, and inclusion.
• Support volunteers and operational leads.
• Ensure compliance with statutory obligations and Welsh Language Policy.
• Participate in training and governance development.

• Attend Board meetings and contribute fully.
• Declare conflicts of interest.
• Review governance structures and policies.
• Support recruitment of new Directors.
• Uphold collective responsibility.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Seek external advice where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with conduct policies.
• Provide notice of intention to retire.

• Represent Plas Heli Cyf to partners and agencies.
• Develop relationships with user groups and community organisations.
• Maintain positive engagement with authorities and maritime bodies.

• Ensure safe, professional delivery of activities.
• Support volunteers in events and facility management.
• Assist with asset management and building development.
• Contribute to organisational development.