How RINA is governed?
Board of Trustees, Council, Regions, and By Laws.
RINA’s governance brings accountability and clarity.
- Members elect Council by Region.
- Trustees are appointed from Council.
- The President chairs the Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Institution, responsible for the governance and management of the Institution as directed in the By Laws. Trustees are appointed from Members of Council. The President of the Institution is the ex officio Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The Board has the following duties:
- To ensure that the Institution complies with charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- To ensure that the Institution pursues its objects as defined in its By Laws.
- To ensure that the Board collectively has the skills and experience required to carry out its role.
- To ensure the Institution applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its Objects.
- To contribute actively to the Board of Trustees’ role in giving firm strategic direction to the Institution, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
- To safeguard the good name and values of the Institution.
- To ensure the effective and efficient administration of the Institution.
- To ensure the financial stability of the Institution.
- To protect and manage the property of the Institution and to ensure the proper investment of the Institution’s funds.
- To appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor their performance.
- To carry out an annual self assessment of the Board’s performance.
The Board carries out its duties of governance in accordance with its policies and procedures. The quality of governance is assured by routine review of policies and procedures, internal and external audits and self assessment.
RINA President
Professor Catriona Savage
As President of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Professor Catriona Savage leads the Institution’s strategic direction and represents its global community of naval architects and maritime professionals.
The President is elected by the Council for a two-year term, providing continuity in leadership while ensuring the Institution benefits from fresh perspectives and expertise. The President also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, upholding RINA’s mission, values, and good governance.
Mr Bob Cripps
Trustee
Mr Edwin Pang
Trustee
Dr Thomas Allan
Trustee
Mr Tom Strang
Trustee
Mr Dimitris Monioudis
Trustee
Mr Bruce Rosenblatt
Trustee
Mr Keith Hutchinson
Trustee
Mr Nick Chrissos
Trustee
Mr Adam Pearce
Trustee
Mrs Sarah Watts
Trustee
Emeritus Professor Philip Wilson
Trustee
Ms Niki d'Hubert
Trustee
Council
The Council is responsible for communicating the views of the Institution’s members to the Board of Trustees, and for providing guidance and advice to the Board on all matters related to the professional activities of the Institution.
Regions
Members’ countries are grouped into Regions. Members of Council are elected from and by the Regions. A member of Council from a Region will be appointed as a Vice President for the Region, to represent the Institution and views of the members in the Region.
Objects & By Laws
The Objects of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects are as set out in the Charter of Incorporation 1910 – ‘the improvement of ships and all that specially appertains to them, and the arrangement of periodical meetings for the purpose of discussing practical and scientific subjects bearing upon the design and construction of ships and their means of propulsion, and that relates thereto’.
The Institution is governed in accordance with its By Laws & Regulations, which are approved by the Privy Council of the United Kingdom.
Leadership & Representation
President
Professor Catriona Savage, FRINA
Elected by the Council for a two-year term, the President provides strategic leadership and represents the Institution’s global community of naval architects and maritime professionals.
Honorary Vice Presidents
E C Tupper, FRINA (UK) — elected 2004
J D Frier, FRINA (UK) — elected 2022
P G Wrobel, FRINA (UK) — elected 2022
Divisional Presidents
J Binns — President, Australian Division (2024)
G Schweikart — President, New Zealand Division (2023)
Vice Presidents
A Subahani (Africa & Middle East), J K Paik (UK), D Aldwinckle (UK), D Molyneux (Americas), C De Marco (Europe), I K A P Utama (Asia), T Allan (UK), A K Dev (Asia), M Renilson (Pacific)
Fellows
R P Fernandez (Europe), K W Hutchinson (UK), G S Chopra (Asia), S Inayatullah (Asia), D Konovessis (Europe), R Downs (UK), P A Wilson (UK), D N Monioudis (UK), A Aitken (UK), P Kujala (Europe), J Black (Pacific), N Ratukalou (Pacific)
(Elected 2023 – 2025)
Members
H Theunissen (Africa & Middle East) — elected 2023
N MacLennan (UK) — elected 2023
C Silitziotis (Europe) — elected 2023
Y K Demirel (Europe) — elected 2024
A Kumar (Asia) — elected 2024
C Baker (UK) — elected 2025
Associate Members
S De Villiers (Africa & Middle East) — elected 2024
R Miller (UK) — elected 2024
Y R Kamath (Asia) — elected 2024
N Michalakopoulos (Europe) — elected 2024
H Dixon (Americas) — elected 2025
C Baxter (UK) — elected 2025
C McNair (UK) — elected 2025
Chairs of Standing Committees
P A Wilson — Publications Committee
R Cripps — Maritime Innovation Committee
T Strang — Maritime Environment Committee
E Pang — IMO Committee
S Watts — Maritime Safety Committee
J Kernaghan — Membership Committee
M Barton — Professional Affairs Committee
C McNair — Developing Careers Committee
F H Spencer — Disciplinary Committee
Past Presidents
Professor John B Caldwell OBE (1984–1987)
Dr Peter J Usher CBE (1993–1996)
Sir John Parker (1996–1999)
Professor W Geraint Price (2002–2004)
Dr Nigel Gee (2004–2007)
Stephen Payne OBE (2007–2010)
Peter French (2010–2014)
Bruce S. Rosenblatt (2014–2016)
Tom Boardley (2016–2018)
Professor Richard Birmingham (2018–2020)
Ing. Maurizio d’Amico (2020–2022)