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.
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.
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.
Alex Mele
Duty Manager
Alex joined Sovereign Harbour as a Duty Manager in April 2025, following previous experience working as a police custody officer and a former debt collector. Alex is proudly Italian and is happiest when out fishing or eating a bag of crisps. He is already enjoying getting to meet everyone within the Sovereign Harbour community and is excited to get more stuck in.
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.
Ava Cousins
Customer Service Advisor
Ava joined the team in 2022 under Premier’s Marina and Boatyard Operative apprenticeship scheme. Alongside her graduation certificate, Ava was also further awarded a certificate of recognition by British Marine for being an 'Apprenticeship of the Year' 2024 finalist and also given the opportunity to meet HRH The Princess Royal at the Southampton Boat Show's opening ceremony. 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 and is focused on developing her knowledge of sailing.
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!
Tom Stafford - Lock Keeper
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 Cottington - 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.
Brian Barnes - Lock Keeper
Kieran Finn - Boatyard Operative
Lee Van Rooyen - Marina Operative
Lionel Hartley - Lock Keeper
Mark Buckley - Lock Keeper
Max Marshall - Lock Keeper
Stephen Uphill - Boatyard Operative
Taylor Spooner - Boatyard Operative
Thomas Bland - Marina Operative
Sovereign Harbour features
Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne has all the services you’d expect from a premium marina.
Parking
Personal bathrooms
Pump-out
Water
Laundry
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