About

Trinity House’s operational headquarters in Harwich, established in 1812, forms the hub for maintaining and monitoring the UK’s aids to navigation. From this base, a specialist fleet – Trinity House Vessels Patricia, Galatea, and the rapid-response vessel THV Alert – undertakes wreck marking, hydrographic surveying, and routine maintenance of buoys, beacons, and lightvessels. In 2024, the organisation launched its ‘Future Afloat’ programme to replace THVs Patricia and Galatea and ensure the ongoing modernisation of its operational capabilities.

With around 300 employees, Trinity House combines operational excellence with a forward-looking approach to maritime safety and innovation. Establishing robust financial governance and assurance frameworks sits at the heart of the role, ensuring full alignment with the Government’s Nolan Principles, Finance Functional Standard and DfT expectations.

Trinity House’s leadership structure includes The Master, HRH The Princess Royal, and Rear Admiral Iain Lower CB, who serves as Deputy Master and CEO of the Lighthouse Board and as such is Accounting Officer to the Permanent Under Secretary in the Department of Transport. Good governance is assured through the Lighthouse Board consisting of Executive Directors and Secretary of State for Transport endorsed Non-Executive Directors. The Lighthouse Board reports to the Court of the Corporation of Trinity House which consists of men and women drawn from senior leadership positions across the UK’s maritime sector.

The GLA is financed through Light Dues, a user pays tax system under the Department for Transport and at no cost to the UK Exchequer.

Explore their draft Annual Report and Accounts here for 2024/2025.