The HMS Bronington Preservation Trust (HMSPT), formed in October 2021, is made up of former Ton Class Royal Navy personnel, enthusiasts and professionals who came together with the express aim of salvaging, restoring and displaying this veteran warship in some form. HMSBPT is led by five trustees, each with extensive and relevant experience for this project.

Martin Barnes – an experienced Operations and Commercial Director, is a seasoned professional with hands-on experience in salvage operations. He has a background in Royal Navy Marine Engineering and extensive Project Management experience. underscoring his ability to manage complex salvage operations, including the critical tasks of subcontractor selection and management.

Peter Horscroft – a former Royal Naval Gunnery Officer with Ton Class experience on HMS HUBBERSTON, has deep historical knowledge of Ton Class vessels. His role as a ship’s equipment detective will be crucial in ensuring restoration of any elements would be historically accurate and respects the vessel’s heritage.

Alan Jackson –  is a retired Royal Navy Radar specialist who served on a Ton Class ship. As well as his 17 years with the RNLI on the New Brighton Lifeboat, his ongoing work with the local Sea Cadet Corps, where he teaches seamanship, navigation, power boating, and sailing, highlights his dedication to maritime safety, education and preservation.

Mike McBride – brings extensive naval engineering expertise as a retired Royal Naval Engineering Officer who served on the Ton Class Minehunter HMS IVESTON. Other significant roles included Mine Warfare instructional duties and the Surface Ship SONAR lead at the MOD(Navy) – this and his other relevant experience will be invaluable in addressing the technical and engineering challenges of salvaging elements of the ship but also exploring the vessel’s potential as a STEM learning resource.

Ben Williamson (former Trustee – now volunteer) – is an experienced Construction Project Manager responsible for the completion of projects ranging from £10 million to £200 million underlining his ability to keep projects on track, on time and on budget. As a result of his previous volunteer work as a ship keeper and maintenance engineer for the original HMS Bronington Preservation Trust in the 1990s, he has unique insight into the vessel, her condition and the challenges involved in her salvage.

The well-connected trustees are supported by volunteers with professional experience of accounting, website development, film documentary making, Ton Class vessels (RN veterans) and photography.   Dan Snow (British Historian/TV presenter) is also a keen supporter of the project to restore HMS BRONINGTON, and has assisted in creating a historical documentary about the significance of Ton Class MCMVs during the Cold War.