Meet the Sovereign Harbour team

You’ll find a friendly and knowledgeable team ready to help you make the most of your time at Premier’s Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne.

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Daniel Heckford

Marina Manager

Dan has worked at Premier for over 15 years. Well known in Sovereign Harbour, he is also the area Harbour Master and a keen British Marine Committee Member. Dan spends his limited spare time with his young family, out on his motorcycle or on the water.

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Kim Rees

Duty Manager

Kim has been with Premier Marinas since 2019 and has enjoyed getting to know all our berth holders. Previously, Kim served in the Royal Navy for over 11 years. On her days off, she loves walking her dogs in the forest. 

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Amy Walker

Duty Manager 

Since joining the Premier team in 2014, Amy has worked in various roles at Eastbourne Marina. She became Duty Manager in 2018. Outside work, Amy likes to explore new adventures with her family and has a passion for boating. 

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Ava Cousins

Boatyard and Marina Operative

Ava joined the team in 2022 under Premier’s apprentice scheme. Having learnt a lot since joining, she sees every day as an adventure and feels lucky to be part of a vibrant and exciting community. She is focussed on developing her knowledge of sailing.

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Jill Wakefield

Boatyard Supervisor

Jill has been in our boatyard since 2018. She has always been around boats having owned her own previously, so is always keen to help. She loves to travel and take her dog for walks on the beach.

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Paula Adams

Marina and Boatyard Operative

Paula joined our boatyard team as an operative after many years of working as an offsite contractor in our boatyard. Paula loves the outdoors, and recently completed the London marathon.

Tom Stafford 

Lock Operative

Tom started in 2022 as our Lock Operative and thoroughly enjoys the role, it’s nothing like he’s ever done previously. He loves the outdoors and cooking for his family. He is also a huge rugby enthusiast.

 

Vanessa Cottingham

Customer Service Advisor

Vanessa has been with us since 2020, after a long career with the British transport police. In her free time Vanessa is heavily involved in the local sea cadets and likes to take long walks with her Beagle, fin. Vanessa has spent many years crewing in the racing community.

 

Adam Barrett

Maintenance Supervisor

Adam has been with Eastbourne for many years as our Maintenance supervisor. He specialises in bespoke metal work and has even built his own car. Adam is always happy to help and get stuck in!

 

Paul Garratt

Lock Operative

Paul is our Relief Lock Operative, and has been for many years. Paul loves the flexibility of his job role - he helps with the lock keeping, you’ll see him in the boatyard and you’ll also see him help with the maintenance team! Paul loves to go to concerts and festivals with his wife in his free time.

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Download the Premier Marinas mobile app

Take control with MyPremier and the Premier App. Sign in to the app with your MyPremier account and access a range of unique features to help you when you're out and about. Inform your home marina of your departure and expected return, view the latest tides and weather information or report any maintenance.