Fund Britain’s Waterways Steering Group
Meet the people helping lead and support the Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign.
Steering Group Members, March 2026
The Fund Britain’s Waterways steering group brings together experienced campaigners, boaters and representatives from organisations across the inland waterways community.
They help guide the campaign, build support, and champion the need for proper long-term investment in Britain’s canals and rivers.
- Representing a wide range of waterways interests
- Helping shape the campaign’s direction and messaging
- Promoting the value of inland waterways to communities, government and supporters
The campaign is also supported by a dedicated core volunteer group who help deliver practical campaign activity, communications and events.
Hazel Owen, AWCC National Chair and Chair of Fund Britain’s Waterways
Hazel is a seasoned inland waterways enthusiast with more than 20 years of experience. Based at Strawberry Island in the North East of the waterways system, she has explored and cruised a significant part of the network and developed a deep understanding of its character and importance.
Her love of the waterways led to her involvement with the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, where she serves as National Chair, and to a leading role within Fund Britain’s Waterways.
Contact: hazelowen.awcc@outlook.com
Herbert Eppel, Leicester Civic Society
Herbert’s passion for Britain’s inland waterways began in 2002 during a week-long towpath walk from St Pancras to Leicester, which soon led to owning a small narrowboat.
Following strong local support when the Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla came through Leicester in summer 2025, Leicester Civic Society was invited to nominate a representative to the steering group, broadening membership beyond boating organisations.
Contact: HerbEppel@gmail.com
Carolyn (CJ) Green, NABO Chair
CJ is a liveaboard boater who, along with her husband, fell in love with the waterways lifestyle after hiring boats and later moved aboard their own narrowboat in 2019.
She joined the National Association of Boat Owners in 2021, first helping with socials before being elected to Council and then becoming Chair. She strongly believes that the challenges facing the waterways are too great for any one organisation to tackle alone.
Contact: nabochair@nabo.org.uk
Ed Helps, British Marine Inland Association Chair
Ed is Chair of the British Marine Inland Association following several years on the British Marine and Boat Shows boards. Before semi-retirement he was Managing Director of ABC Leisure Group and remains a non-executive board director.
He is also a Trustee of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Society and previously served as a Trustee of the Droitwich Canals Trust during its restoration. His connection with canals goes back to a lifelong involvement in canoeing.
Contact: mail@edwardhelps.co.uk
Andrew Phasey, RYA
Andrew represents the Royal Yachting Association on the Fund Britain’s Waterways steering group. He is an enthusiastic river and canal boater in the UK and Europe.
He believes strongly that waterways should remain available for all and is committed to supporting the campaign for as long as it takes.
Contact: theoldmainline@fastmail.fm
Mike Wills, IWA National Chair
Mike became Chair of the Inland Waterways Association in February 2024, although his fascination with the waterways goes back to his teenage years.
His experience includes restoration work, ownership and heritage-led development on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, alongside a professional background as a Chartered Accountant with experience across the civil service, private practice and consultancy.
Contact: mike.wills@waterways.org.uk
Core Volunteer Group, March 2026
Alongside the steering group, Fund Britain’s Waterways is supported by a core volunteer team helping with project management, communications, social media, administration and campaign activity.
Their time, enthusiasm and practical support help keep the campaign visible, organised and moving forward.
Stephen Busby, Project Manager
Stephen and his wife Barbara have cruised much of the inland waterways network since their narrowboat was built in 2017, even gaining an IWA Silver Propeller award along the way.
He volunteers with Fund Britain’s Waterways because it is something he can do from anywhere while giving something positive back to the canal world.
Contact: stephen.j.busby@gmail.com
Anne Husar, Social Media
Anne has nearly 20 years of liveaboard experience on a 70ft narrowboat and has cruised many English canals and rivers as well as European waterways.
A long-time NABO Council member and former Chair, she is widely recognised as a passionate supporter of canals and brings that energy to Fund Britain’s Waterways communications.
Contact: wanderingsnail@hotmail.co.uk
Sue O’Hare, Secretary
Sue’s love of waterways began with Arthur Ransome books and time spent watching ships on the River Ribble, later developing through boating on the Norfolk Broads and the canal network.
She has served on IWA’s Navigation Committee since 2016 and became Chair in 2022. Sue is strongly motivated to make sure waterways are properly valued and never wasted through short-sighted decisions.
Contact: sue.ohare@waterways.org.uk
Frances Phasey, Communications
Frances started dinghy sailing at the age of five and took up narrowboating later in 1997. She has lived aboard and cruised on European waterways.
Since retiring, she has worked as a freelance writer and now supports Fund Britain’s Waterways with communications.
Contact: francesphasey@fastmail.fm
George Seward, Cruise Master
George is a lifelong boater whose experience stretches back to 1969 when his parents bought their first cabin cruiser. Over the years he has fitted out three narrowboats and travelled extensively, including on tidal waters.
He took part in the Fund Britain’s Waterways Campaign Cruise in London in 2024 and remains a strong advocate for the benefits of the canal system to people from all walks of life.
Contact: george@corporatemergers.co.uk
A Campaign Backed by Experience and Commitment
The Fund Britain’s Waterways steering group and volunteer team reflect the breadth of support behind the campaign, from national organisations and boating bodies to volunteers with decades of experience on and around the waterways.
Together, they help strengthen the case for better funding, greater recognition and a more secure future for Britain’s canals and rivers.
If you would like to support the campaign, volunteer your time or help spread the message, please get in touch.
Support the Future of Britain’s Waterways
Join the campaign, volunteer, donate, or get in touch to help protect Britain’s canals and rivers.