New director for AOS GB

AOS Great Britain welcomes Captain Paul Quinn as its new national director

Captain Paul Quinn assumed the role of national director of AOS GB on 17 April 2008. Paul is familiar with the maritime environment. He served for 37 years in the Royal Navy, the maritime section of the British armed forces. He brings valuable experience of human resource management to AOS. In his previous role, he was responsible for personnel, chaplaincy and administrative support for the 27,000 British naval personnel in the front line.

Before taking up his new responsibility with AOS, Paul and his wife Liz spent some time travelling around the world. While in Australia, they contacted Sr Mary Leahy, AOS port chaplain in Sydney. Together they visited the ITF funded seafarers' centre where Sr Mary has her office. Sr Mary also took Paul and Liz on a tour of the port.

Captain Paul Quinn and Sr Mary Leahy in Sydney

In his first few weeks at AOS GB, Paul has worked alongside retiring national director Commodore Chris York. Together they have travelled around several ports in Great Britain, meeting chaplains, pastoral workers and seafarers. Paul says

"I am thrilled and delighted to join AOS GB after a long career at sea and to work for and with all seafarers who come to Great Britain".

Captain Quinn meets a seafarer in the port of South Tees, north east England

Commodore Chris York

Commodore Chris York is retiring after seven years as national director of AOS GB. In recognition of his service to AOS and to the Church, Pope Benedict XVI awarded him a Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory. The award was presented by Bishop Tom Burns, bishop promoter of AOS GB. Bishop Burns paid tribute to Chris saying

"Throughout the 20 plus years that I have known Chris York, he has struck me as a highly professional leader and also a deeply spiritual man. His service to the Church has been second-to-none. The one million seafarers who visit British ports each year have much to be thankful to him for".

Commodore Chris York

click here to read more about Commodore York's award on the AOS GB website

click here for contact details of AOS GB