Who we are

Richard was the Chief Executive of the Port of London Authority from 2004 until March 2014 during which time he focused on a series of objectives including the development of skills of people who operate on the river. He also encouraged a wider range of people to take up careers on the Thames to increase diversity. He believes that the employer-led Thames Skills Academy is vital to meet these aims.

Since his retirement Richard has maintained his links with the maritime world as Chair of the TSA’s Board and as a non-Executive Chairman at the Port of Dover and a member of Belfast Harbour Board. 

Katherine Riggs has been the Chief Executive of the Thames Skills Academy since February 2018.  Prior to taking over the role, Katherine was the Director of Thames Vision at the Port of London Authority, leading from inception to delivery, a 20-year plan for the development of the UK’s most famous and busiest river, the first of its kind. 

Earlier in her career, Katherine worked in the UK Civil Service for twenty years.  Most recently, she was Head of Strategy to the Secretary of State leading the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair’s growth and biosecurity programmes as well as preparations for the 2015 general election. 

Previous roles included leadership of Government’s most complex UK/EU environmental programme and she spent four years at the UK Representation to the European Union in Brussels, negotiating the accession of ten countries into the EU and representing the UK’s interests in common agricultural reform and WTO negotiations.

Katherine is a member of the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s Freight Steering Group, Vice Chair of the Maritime Skills Alliance and a trustee and interim Chair of Thames 21.

Robin joined the PLA as chief executive officer on 31 March 2014. Prior to joining the PLA, Robin had 20 years’ experience in the UK Government civil service across a range of Government Departments. He was Private Secretary to the Environment Secretary from 1996-97, to the Deputy Prime Minister from 1997-98 and to the Transport Secretary from 2001-03. He led the work on the UK Climate Change Bill in 2006 and in 2007, became a Director in Defra where he set up the UK’s Adapting to Climate Change programme, oversaw the creation of the Canal & River Trust and directed policy on air quality and the natural environment.

Robin is currently the Deputy Chair of Maritime UK, a Member of the CBI’s London Council and a trustee of Thames 21.

Roger is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and has held a number of board level positions in construction companies and in engineering and planning consultancies. He spent the first 20 years of his career in the geotechnical contracting sector before moving into transportation consultancy for organisations including Crossrail, Network Rail, TfL, Highways Agency and Department for Transport.  

Roger is the Asset Management Director for Tideway, delivering the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel through London.  Roger is responsible for integrated assurance, technical oversight of project delivery (including design assurance, compliance with planning permission, innovation, environmental sustainability, skills and employment) and the operational integration of the completed Thames Tideway Tunnel asset into the existing London sewer network.  Roger has been with the Thames Tideway Tunnel since 2012 and has been instrumental in driving the marine logistics strategy which will see 6 million tonnes of construction materials and excavated spoil moved by river on the Tideway project.

Danny Price joined TfL in 2011 and is currently General Manager for Sponsored Services, accountable for the management and development of London River Services, Santander Cycles and the Emirates Air Line cable car.

Earlier in his career, Danny was part of a small management team that set up the London Eye (Millennium Wheel), where he became accountable for all aspects of its operation and commercial development.

Chris Blair is a Freeman of the City of London and a Freeman of the River Thames.

With over 30 years at a senior level in private and public sector organisations, Chris brings senior leadership experience on the Thames through his current role as Strategy Director of GRS, Walsh and Walsh Marine, including in relation to decarbonisation of the fleets’ activity and marine terminals and delivery of the Frog Island marine terminal Development.  In addition, he brings the experience from his Chairpersonship of Westminster Commission (Thames Renaissance) to encourage more construction materials and waste to be transported on the Thames.

Chris represents the Company of Watermen and Lightermen on the TSA Board.

Andy was appointed as the CEO of iCON Infrastructure on October 1st, 2020.  Previously he was Director of Strategic Infrastructure Projects Director at Cory Riverside Energy with responsibilities including the Development Consent Order for the Riverside Energy Park and the successful financing, development, commissioning and operation of the Riverside Resource Recovery EfW facility.

Andy also brings broader experience from his past involvement in international utility infrastructure. Andy has always been a proud supporter of  the Thames Skills Academy to raise standards on the river Thames and other inland waterways.

Chris is the fifth generation of the Livett family to work on the tidal River Thames in London.  He is a Past Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen and has been Bargemaster to Her Majesty The Queen since January 2018. 

Over the past 30 years Chris has developed a reputation for providing solutions to complex logistical challenges on rivers and waterways across London and the UK. These include some of London’s largest civil engineering projects, PR stunts for global brands and filming for numerous Hollywood movies.

Chris leads a number of businesses with his primary base at Butler’s Wharf in Central London. With piers, marinas and berths at key strategic points along the River Thames, his fleet of boats range from high-speed RIBs, workboats, tugs and specialist craft to luxurious party boats.

As the CEO and Co-Founder of Uber Boats by Thames Clippers, Sean has been at the helm of the company since its inception in 1999.

At that time they operated one boat, served three piers and employed two crew. Today they have an annual turnover of over £20 million, operate 17 vessels, employ almost 340 people and carry over four million people each year. As well as commuter and visitor services throughout London, the business also offers corporate hire and express services.

Sean is keen to increase safety standards and to bring a more diverse work force on the River Thames.

Kyle joined City Cruises plc in 2011 as Managing Director. City Cruises, which started in 1985, is one of the leading operators of passenger services on the River Thames, carrying in excess of three million passengers annually on extensive sightseeing, entertainment and charter services.   City Cruises has a fleet of 20 river vessels and has operations in Poole and York as well as London. In October 2019 City Cruises became part of the global cruise operator Hornblower. 

Fran Comerford-Cole is the Director of Logistics for Cory, one of the UK’s leading resource management, recycling, and energy recovery companies located along the River Thames.  Fran leads Cory’s river logistics, transfer stations and recycling services and also oversees their local authority and commercial contracts and commodity trading.  

Prior to working at Cory, Fran worked as a Senior Environmental Policy Advisor in New Zealand.

Cory has been operating on the River Thames for over 120 years and is proud to support the Thames Skills Academy to raise standards on the river.

Katherine Riggs has been the Chief Executive of the Thames Skills Academy since February 2018.  Prior to taking over the role, Katherine was the Director of Thames Vision at the Port of London Authority, leading from inception to delivery, a 20-year plan for the development of the UK’s most famous and busiest river, the first of its kind. 

Earlier in her career, Katherine worked in the UK Civil Service for twenty years.  Most recently, she was Head of Strategy to the Secretary of State leading the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affair’s growth and biosecurity programmes as well as preparations for the 2015 general election. 

Previous roles included leadership of Government’s most complex UK/EU environmental programme and she spent four years at the UK Representation to the European Union in Brussels, negotiating the accession of ten countries into the EU and representing the UK’s interests in common agricultural reform and WTO negotiations.

Katherine is a member of the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s Freight Steering Group, Vice Chair of the Maritime Skills Alliance and a trustee and interim Chair of Thames 21.

Jean is working two days a week at the TSA, leading on training.

Jean has more than thirty years’ experience across many sectors, cultures and industries and has a proven track record in delivering transformation programmes and a range of business operation strategies.

Jean is a London Ambassador for the National Apprenticeship Service and promotes apprenticeships across various professional sectors. She is also a Director of Women into Construction.

Jean holds the position of Chair on the Business Development Board at the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) London and also sits on their Policy Board

Jean is also an Executive of the Construction Client Leadership Group (CCLG) and sits on the on the Mayor’s Construction Skills Advisory Group.

Blue is working two days a week at the TSA to lead on the Thames CPD.

Blue is an Education Training Consultant with leadership skills and behaviours gained through service in the Army (Royal Engineers) and a further extensive period working within Private Training Providers, Colleges and a membership organisation (British Marine).

He has an in-depth knowledge of the current education sector ranging from FE, HE to continued professional development and Apprenticeships.

He has led on multiple projects for the design, development & delivery of curriculum within the Engineering, Construction and Marine sectors, including apprenticeship standards development and continued professional development of marina operators in the UK and throughout Europe.

Blue is a Trustee for CESSAC (Church of England Soldiers’, Sailors’ & Airmen's Clubs) and sits on the Welfare Amenities Committee.

In his spare time Blue enjoys going to the gym, parkrun (currently on #304) and a dedicated follower of cricket & football.

“I am looking forward to working for the Thames Skills Academy.  Training and skills development is an important factor to ensuring employers are keeping their staff up to date and providing their customers the best possible service”.

Gemma joined the TSA in October 2016 as the Office Manager. She was key to setting up the foundations of the Thames Skill’s Academy organisational structure.  Gemma has over 10 years’ experience working in the building and facilities industry at management level. Since returning from maternity leave in the spring of 2023, Gemma now works part-time as the TSA’s Executive Manager.