Eamonn Delaney, chairman of the trustees of Apostleship of the Sea (AoS), has announced the appointment of Martin Foley as the charity’s new national director.
Mr Foley joins from the charity Life where he was chief executive since 2005. He took up the post on June 1.
Following his education at Bishop Walsh Catholic school, Mr Foley went on to read law at Manchester University, returning there after some years to complete an MA in health care, ethics and law.
He practised as a solicitor before joining the Houses of Parliament as clerk to the All-Party Parliamentary Pro-Life Group and personal assistant to Lord Alton.
Mr Delaney said: “AoS will benefit from the depth of experience Martin has gained in his career so far. He brings fresh ideas and a deep understanding of our aspirations for AoS in the future.
The esprit de corps in the organisation is excellent, and Martin can only enhance that. On behalf of the trustees I extend a warm welcome to him.”
Mr Foley also serves as chairman of governors at St Patrick’s Catholic school in Leamington Spa, is a member of the bishops’ conference bioethics committee for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and is also a member of the ethics advisory committee for Banner Ethical Investment Company.
The Apostleship of the Sea is a maritime welfare charity providing practical and pastoral support to seafarers, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Ninety per cent of world trade is carried by ship, and about 100,000 seafarers visit British ports each year. They are commonly away from home for nine to 12 months at a time, suffering loneliness, depression and even exploitation. They also have to work in gruelling and often dangerous conditions. AoS chaplains and ship visitors welcome seafarers to our shores.
They recognise them as brothers with an intrinsic human dignity which can be overlooked in the modern globalised maritime industry.
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