All change at the top here at Teddington!

Huge thanks to Tim Ody, who's moving upstairs to be LMG Chair after 10 years in the hot seat as Ops Manager (LOM) and a big welcome to new LOM, former helm Matt Allchurch.

Matt has run his architectural practice with a staff of 20 from his office on the River Thames a short walk away. He has sailed from an early age, has a small boat on the Thames and is passionate about all things water related.

His uncle was a coxswain at Selsey RNLI Lifeboat Station but he never thought he could join a crew living in London. When he moved to Teddington he jumped at the chance and hasn't looked back.

As Matt said: "I'm honoured to lead such a fantastic station with such a dedicated and talented crew. I joined Teddington RNLI 11 years ago initially as crew and later as helm.

"My operational experience, knowledge of the station and its people will help me to carry on with the great work that Tim has done in his ten years.

"I am ready for the challenge and excited for the future."

The changes in management at the station will strengthen the team. With Matt's knowledge of the River Thames and experience of crewing for over ten years he is well suited to managing the operations side of the station.

Tim Ody's ten years as LOM place him in an excellent position to engage with the operations team, the all-important fundraisers and with the local community.

Effectively it's business as usual saving lives on the Thames but with a stronger more experienced team.

Tim echoed Matt's views and reflected on his own experience, his years at Teddington RNLI so far and the future:

"It has been a real privilege to lead the Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station's lifesaving operation for the last ten years.

"The crew are some of the finest people I have had the pleasure of working with, no request was ever refused in their commitment to saving lives.

"I have been honoured to enjoy their trust. I'm convinced that in Matt that trust can be safely transferred.

"There is a larger local RNLI community beyond the station equally committed to water safety, and raising the funds for the RNLI lifesaving operation, I hope I can over the next ten years gain their trust too.

"Being a volunteer, it is essential that you have total confidence in those that lead, co-ordinate and support your effort.

"Once again many thanks to all of my colleagues at the station, local people in our community and the RNLI at regional and national level, who have supported me in the role of LOM over the last 10 years, it's been a privilege to work on a voluntary basis for the RNLI."