Meet the team

Meet some of the people behind the UKFSC and find out what we do.

Committee

  • Mark Coupar

    UKFSC CHAIR

    For the last 25 years I have been employed by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, I'm currently a Watch Manager, Fire Safety Inspector.

    I attended the University of Hard Knocks, 8 years HM Forces, with the 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers. (1RHF).

    In the next 6 months I intend to retire from the Fire Service, marry my longtime partner Charlotte Conolly, buy a yacht, work towards a yacht master qualification and live the dream.

    It's my intention to ensure the future of the UKFSC, which I have had the good fortune to be a two-time winning skipper in class. (It’s all down to the crew!).

    I’m passionate about Sailing, Skiing and Photography and hope to dedicate more time to these during my retirement.

  • Winni Jarvis

    VICE CHAIR

    I have been a Firefighter in the London Fire Brigade for the last 6 years, currently serving at a Technical Rescue station specialising in Line, Water and USAR. I am also on the UKRO Water Rescue Team for LFB, competing at National level.

    I’ve been a crew member with the RNLI for the last 12 years, starting at Rye Harbour and currently at Tower Lifeboat Station, where I’ve been for 9 years.

    I started sailing at age 11, racing dinghies. In 2015, I moved into “big boat” sailing at my first UKFSC, as navigator and first mate for Team Tower RNLI. In 2023 at my 7th UKFSC, I became Skipper for London Newham.

  • Hannah Wilcox

    RACING SECRETARY

    I started sailing as a child, at my local club in Cambridgeshire and I have been very lucky that dinghy racing has taken me all over the world. I currently race an RS400 with my husband and a Buzz with my son.

    In my spare time, I enjoy coaching dinghy racing and supporting others to get into the sport.

    In 2022 I was lucky enough to be invited into the tactician role on the Cambridgeshire boat for the first time. Immediately I realised what an incredible event the UKFSC was and have been a member of the Cambridgeshire team ever since. I am honoured to have been asked to support this worthwhile event and look forward to seeing you all on the water soon.

  • Andy Wilcox

    TREASURER

    A lifelong sailor, I started sailing as a tot in my Dad's GK24 on the Menai Straights. When I was six, we moved into dinghy racing which has remained a passion to this day. Having been lucky enough to race and sail many different types of dinghies, my favourite is the RS400.

    During my time in the Royal Marines, I was lucky enough to gain my Dinghy Trainers and Powerboat Instructors qualifications and sail around the world for the Navy Sailing Team. Yachting has also always played a strong part in my life, although I must admit, it normally takes the more leisurely form of gentle cruises around the south coast in my wife’s Aunt's Nicholson 35 or a sailing holiday abroad!

    With a dream of one day retiring, buying a yacht and sailing off around the world I am currently studying my RYA Yachtmaster when I get the time!

  • Jack James

    HON. SECRETARY

    I am a current serving Firefighter (Control) and Firefighter (On Call) for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.

    My first sailing experience was in 2022 and first UKFSC in 2023. In my free time I like adventuring, ranging from walking Wainwrights in the Lake District to flying light aircraft from IWM Duxford.

General Committee

  • Helen Cryer

    Until attending my first UKFSC event, I had done no sailing. I've participated in three now and loved every second!

    I was an On-call Firefighter for Cambridgeshire FRS, which I fit around raising four children. In the last few years though I've moved to Cornwall and become a Coastguard Rescue Officer, and artist.

  • Ian Pullen

    I have been part of UKFSC for around 15 years, starting as shore crew, then racing with London Fire Brigade. In 2013, I skippered one of the first two Ambulance teams to enter the event and then raced for around 6 years for London Ambulance, before returning to the shore crew for the past 3 events where I crew the RIB and provide medical cover to the event.

  • Charlotte Conolly

    I became interested in sailing when I met my partner Mark in 2012. I took the plunge and managed to pass RYA dinghy level 1, loved being on the water except when capsizing about 8 times and bouncing off the boom!! I soon learnt I had to duck and stay in the boat!!

    I took part in the UKFSC in 2018 and enjoyed it very much, we worked hard during the day and partying at night.

    Looking forward to having my own novice nursing sailors in 2024 and were all very excited to learn from our skipper and first mate, no pressure!!!

    Looking forward to being on the water again.

  • Jason Deasy

    Hi, I'm Jason Deasy, I have been sailing for over 30 years. I'm originally from Cork in Ireland and was part of the fire service sailing team there. I have been living in Hertfordshire for over 13 years and have been sailing all around the south coast since I have been here. Last year was my first year as a skipper in the UKFSC and it went quite well for us, looking forward to working with the committee.

  • Jon Knott

    I joined the London Ambulance Service (LAS) in 1991 and served for 30 years until retiring as a Location Group Manager in 2021.

    We first entered in 2012 with two teams and regularly now enter up to five LAS teams. I now live on the Isle of Wight and sail my Sadler 29 on the Solent and the South Coast as often as I can…I also ski twice a year with many of my sailing friends.

  • Sonya Hussein

Shore Crew

  • DANNY SMITH

    After seven years serving in the Royal Navy, I served 31 years in the London Fire Brigade retiring in 2009. I have been a member of the support crew for UKFSC since 2004 and first sailed in 1995 on the tall ship Sir Malcolm Miller.

    Before I took up sailing, I was a sports diver with the London Fire Brigade Sub-Aqua Club.

  • Dave Moore

    I’ve been on the support crew since 2008. I’m looking forward to this next event under our new committee. I am a retired London firefighter, 32 years and even a little stint on the Fire Boat. Sailing is a passionate hobby and I’ve sailed just over 3000 Nm this year. Being involved in the support of this event is truly enjoyable. Onwards and upwards.

  • Clive Bulled

    I retired from the London Fire Brigade in 2008 after 30 years, serving at different stations, including the Fireboat. I live in East Sussex, and have been a team member of the support crew since 2010. In that time, I have seen the UKFSC event grow from strength to strength, and I am pleased to be invited by Mark Couper and his team, to continue in that work.

    I enjoy recreational sailing, and look forward to the event each year. Long may it continue.