The Board of the International Foundation for Aids to Navigation (IFAN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Rear Admiral John Clink CBE as Chair of IFAN, effective 1 October 2026.
John has served on the IFAN Board since September 2025 and brings extensive leadership, maritime and governance experience to the role. During a 35-year career in the Royal Navy, he served as a navigation specialist and held senior leadership positions. He subsequently served for seven years as Clerk (CEO) of the Merchant Taylors’ Company, where he also gained substantial experience in charity governance and management.
His combination of maritime expertise, senior leadership and charity governance experience will support IFAN as it continues its work to promote safety at sea and protect the marine environment, both through its international activities and through its operating division, the Middle East Navigation Aids Service (MENAS).
Rear Admiral John Clink CBE said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of IFAN, having had the opportunity to serve on the Board over the past year. Safe navigation has been an important part of my professional life, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Board and the teams at IFAN and MENAS as we build on the organisation’s important work to promote safety at sea and protect the marine environment.”
John succeeds Guy Mason, who will stand down after almost ten years on the IFAN Board, with his time split equally between Member Nominated Director and Independent Director, including a period as Chair.
Guy Mason, outgoing Chair of IFAN, said:
“It has been a real privilege to serve IFAN over the past decade, including as Chair, and to see the organisation continue to evolve and expand its contribution to maritime safety. I am delighted that John will be taking on the role and believe his experience will bring great value to IFAN’s next chapter. I wish him, the Board, Catherine and everyone across IFAN and MENAS every success.”
Catherine Mulvihill, CEO of IFAN, said:
“I am very appreciative of Guy for his dedicated service to IFAN over almost a decade, and also for the guidance and support he has given me as CEO. I am equally pleased that John will now take on the role of Chair. His deep understanding of navigation, together with his considerable leadership and governance experience, will bring valuable perspective to the Board as IFAN continues to develop its international role, connecting the right partners, knowledge and resources to help strengthen maritime safety systems and build lasting capability where it is needed most. I very much look forward to continuing to work with John as we advance that mission.”
The Board thanks Guy for his dedicated service and leadership over the past decade and looks forward to welcoming John into the role from 1 October.
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