HRH The Princess Royal
Royal Patron
The TS Queen Mary Trust is honoured to hold the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, whose support lends the Trust both distinction and purpose. Her personal connection to Scotland's maritime heritage and her confidence in our mission to restore this beloved vessel is a honour we hold with the greatest pride.
Our Patrons
The TS Queen Mary Trust is honoured to be supported by a distinguished patrons who share our vision for preserving Scotland's maritime legacy for future generations.
The Late Robbie Coltrane OBE
Founding Patron
Beloved Scottish actor and proud patron of the TS Queen Mary Trust, Robbie Coltrane brought his deep connection to Clydeside culture and heritage to our cause. Fondly remembered and greatly missed, his support for the Trust remains a cherished part of his legacy.
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Sam Neill
OBE
Commonwealth Patron
Internationally acclaimed actor and Jurassic Park star, Sam Neill brings his considerable global profile and long-standing affection for Scotland to his role as patron of TS Queen Mary. His support reflects a personal commitment to preserving the Clyde's maritime heritage for generations to come.
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Sam Neill
OBE
Commonwealth Patron
Internationally acclaimed actor and Jurassic Park star, Sam Neill brings his considerable global profile and long-standing affection for Scotland to his role as patron of TS Queen Mary. His support reflects a personal commitment to preserving the Clyde's maritime heritage for generations to come.
TS Queen Mary Trustees
TS Queen Mary Trust is guided by her dedicated committed to the preservation and restoration of Scotland's maritime legacy.
Iain
Sim
Chairman
A solicitor with over 30 years of experience, Iain has led the charity since its inception, playing a leading role in the return of TS Queen Mary to the Clyde in 2016.
Colin
Seaton
Project Manager
Colin with over 40 years in design, construction and project management of civil engineering and building projects - a Charted Engineer with a background in Naval projects .
Michael McLaughlin
Vice Chairman
Since 2018 having a background in Hospitality, Events and Tourism, Michael has been responsible for the TS Queen Mary tours and organising public and royal events Â
ROBERT
MILLAR
Engineering Lead
Bob Millar has 35 year experience world wide in design, management and delivery of engineering marine projects. Working with Navy's and commercial projects.
RUSSELL
watson
Treasurer
Second longest Trustee on the board, seconded by Iain, Russell is a trusteed Accountant with over 40 years experience. Serving as treasurer since 2015.
Iain Sim — Chairman
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EXPERIENCE
Iain is a highly experienced solicitor with a career spanning over 30 years, specialising in corporate and charity law. Since the Friends of TS Queen Mary was established in 2012, he has served as the Chairman, providing the legal and strategic framework necessary to launch one of the UK’s most ambitious maritime restoration projects. His leadership was the driving force behind the complex negotiations that saw TS Queen Mary leave London and return home to Glasgow in 2016.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Chairman, Iain leads the Board of Trustees in setting the overarching strategy for the charity. He is responsible for high-level relationships with donors, government officials, and heritage partners. Furthermore, he oversees the Trust's governance, ensuring that all restoration work complies with Scottish charity regulations and heritage standards as the project moves toward its final goal of becoming a permanent visitor attraction.
Michael McLaughlin — Vice Chairman
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EXPERIENCE
Michael brings a wealth of expertise from the hospitality, events, and tourism industries. Joining the Trust in 2018, his professional background has been vital in transitioning the ship from a static restoration site to an active platform for public engagement. He has a proven track record in managing large-scale public events and developing high-quality visitor experiences within the Scottish heritage tourism sector.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As Vice Chairman, Michael focuses on the ship’s public profile and operational readiness. He is responsible for designing and managing the ship’s tour programmes and coordinating public events and royal visits. He also plays a lead role in the Trust’s fundraising events, ensuring that the project remains connected to the community and continues to inspire maritime enthusiasts and visitors alike.
Russell Watson — Treasurer
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EXPERIENCE
Russell is a Chartered Accountant with over 40 years of experience in senior financial roles across various sectors. He is the second-longest-serving trustee on the board, having joined shortly after the Trust was formed. His financial acumen has been a steadying hand for the charity during years of significant capital expenditure and complex fundraising cycles.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Since 2015, Russell has served as the Trust's Treasurer. His responsibilities include the rigorous oversight of the charity’s financial health, from daily bookkeeping to long-term financial planning. He manages the Trust’s annual accounts, budgets for restoration phases, and ensures that every pound donated is accounted for and spent efficiently to further the ship's restoration.
Colin Seaton — Project Manager
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EXPERIENCE
Colin is a Chartered Engineer with more than 40 years of experience in the design, construction, and project management of civil engineering and major building projects. His career includes a significant focus on naval and maritime infrastructure, giving him a unique technical understanding of the structural requirements for a 1930s steam turbine ship.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Colin serves as the Project Manager for the physical restoration of TS Queen Mary. He manages the complex relationship between the Trust and the shipyards, overseeing structural surveys, steelwork replacement, and hull maintenance. He is responsible for the technical delivery of each preservation phase, ensuring that all work is executed to maritime safety standards while preserving the ship’s historic integrity.
Robert Millar — Engineering Lead
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EXPERIENCE
Robert (Bob) Millar possesses 35 years of global experience in the design, management, and delivery of major marine engineering projects. His work has spanned both the Royal Navy and high-end commercial sectors, covering everything from power system design to complex mechanical refurbishments. This technical depth is essential for restoring the intricate internal systems of a historic steam turbine vessel.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Engineering Lead, Robert is responsible for the restoration of the ship’s engineering systems. He oversees the refurbishment of the historic machinery and develops the technical specifications for power, heating, and propulsion systems. Robert works closely with specialist engineering contractors to ensure that the ship’s technical systems are robust, safe, and historically sympathetic.