As a Director, Will runs the Boat Building Academy day-to-day. He also co-chairs the board of trustees. Having started woodwork as a child, Will remains a passionate maker and has spent many years working professionally as a furniture designer/maker and boat builder. Teaching has always been an important part of life and through the BBA Will helps to pass on the knowledge through first class training. On a good day, Will can be seen sailing his Lateen daysailer in Lyme Bay.

Commander Tim Gedge founded the school of boat building in 1997 after a career in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. After a two-year break from the school he returned in January 2006 as a Director.  For some years a Yacht Master examiner he has sailed and raced extensively; more recently he was a member of the Council of the Marine South West group within the South West Regional Development Agency and of other marine business associations in the region.

In April 2021, Tim retired from his position as a trustee/director and was bestowed with the title of Honorary Life President.

Janine runs the office day-to-day for course enquiries, bookings and student accomodation.

Fabiana joined the Academy in 2022. She is resposible for the BBA’s advertising and marketing, managing the day-to-day handling of all our social media channels and website.

Sam grew up in North East Essex where his family have been building boats for generations (his great grandfather was yacht designer and naval architect William Robinson). After attending the BBA in 2015 Sam went on to work in North Wales and Cornwall, building and restoring traditional boats before returning to West Dorset where he specialised in repairing Cornish Pilot Gigs as well as taking on bespoke woodworking projects. Sam returned to the BBA as a member of staff in April 2021.

Jerry worked as a music lecturer and composer before relocating to Dorset for a career change.  Since studying at the BBA he has worked on yacht maintenance around the Mediterranean and sailed the Atlantic.

Jerry returned to the BBA in 2022 as machinist.

After a 27 year career in sales, Tim relocated from Buckinghamshire to West Dorset and joined the 12 week Woodworking Skills (now Furniture Making) course.

Tim also teaches the 5-day Marquetry short course.

Geoff worked in electronics manufacturing for 30 years, mostly in production planning and integrating and supporting accounting and manufacturing systems. Geoff joined the Academy in November 2015 and works two days per week.

Originally from Leatherhead in Surrey, Wendy moved to Lyme Regis over 30 years ago. She is the mother of four children, and Housekeeper at the Lyme Regis Marine Centre.

Mark works in maintenance at the Academy two days a week. In his spare time, he restores classic cars and vintage motorcycles and is also a recording musician