Mr Philip Wake OBE RD MSc FNI has been appointed an Ordinary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the UK’s New Year’s Honours’ List for his services to the maritime industry. Philip was elected a Fellow of The Nautical Institute in 1996, and became Chairman of the voluntary London Branch soon after. Having served in the Secretariat since November 1999, he became the Chief Executive of The Nautical Institute in May 2003.
During his time as Chief Executive, The Nautical Institute has developed its reach as a professional membership organisation, now serving members in 120 countries. The Nautical Institute continues to promote professionalism, safety and best practice to the industry as a whole, through a range of publications and free resources, including the Alert! human element project, the Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) and The Navigator. It represents seafarers at the highest level, with consultative status at the IMO. The Dynamic Positioning (DP) Training Scheme, managed by The Nautical Institute as a benefit to the offshore industry, now accredits DP training centres worldwide and certificates tens of thousands of DPOs.
Philip Wake served at sea from Cadet to Chief Officer with Ellerman City Liners before coming ashore to a container consortium where he established a new commercial department. He became a Senior Consultant in shipping economics at Lloyd’s Maritime Information Services (LMIS), and latterly was a Director of Clarkson Research. Philip’s maritime career also includes service in the Royal Naval Reserve specialising in mine counter measures and naval control of shipping.
He is a member of Council of the RNLI; a Younger Brother of Trinity House, London; a Trustee of the CHIRP Charitable Trust and the Royal Alfred Seafarers' Society; and Chairman of the Great River Race. Through his membership of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, he is a Foundation Governor and past Chairman of George Green’s School in the Isle of Dogs, London and is Chairman of Governors at Putney High School, London.