James Beazley

He was the first Chairman and held the post for 16 years. He was also head of the British Shipowners Company.

Records are not specific but the editorial of The Cadet Magazine Sept 1889 says that

John Williamson of the Williamson Milligan & Co, and MD of Cunard had been Chairman for "several years".

James Poole was Chairman for "four years".

W S Graves of the White Star Co had been "...recently Chairman for several years..."

Captain Sproule, a senior Brocklebank Master was definitely Chairman at some point but his exact years are not known.

The" Lord Mayor of Liverpool" was the Chairman

There were two mayors in that year EDWARD HATTON COOKSON, Esq. and THOMAS HUGHES, Esq.

Charles MacIver Esq

A Liverpool shipping magnate, he had joined Samuel Cunard in establishing the 'British and North American Royal Steam Packet Company' - later better known as the Cunard Line. He was a crew member of the British boat Mouchette, which won the silver medal in the 12 metre class at the 1908 Olympics.

Sir Thomas B Royden Bart.

“A power in Liverpool business and political circles” with a “sympathetic and most kindly nature” he steered the Ship “during a critical period and steered the management during a trying time with much tact, discrimination and respect.” in 1897 he was one of the first shipping company owners to start taking cadets directly from Conway to serve their apprenticeships in steam rather than sail.

 

Sir Robert Hampson (cadet June 1913 page 166).

Previously Mgt Committee member

G D Killey JP

He joined the committee in 1899 and was a "true and loyal friend" to the Ship.

Obituary 1928 

Capt Fortay

The Cadet magazine announced that Fortay was Acting Chairman. No mention is made of Killey other than "his deplorable loss" (he had been ill in 1927). Killey was Chairman for 17 years so it is strange that there is no mention of his death or acknowledgement of his service to the Ship. 

Sir Frederick Bowring Kt DL JP. 

Liberal MP for Liverpool (Exchange Ward) 1909-20 and Toxteth 1924
Mayor of Liverpool 1925-27
Knighted Jan 1928

He was chairman of CT Bowring & Co, a director of Barclays Bank and of the Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Co. He was Lord Mayor of Liverpool for 2 years and eventually knighted. He eventually retired because of ill health but remained on the committee. At the same time the King appointed him High Sheriff for Lancashire and he later became Deputy Lt of The Palatine. 

Profile and photo

Retirement 1934

Obituary 1936

Lawrence Holt. 

Chairman of Alfred Holt & Co, he had been Lord Mayor of Liverpool 1929-30. He was also a member of the Coal Mines Re-organisation Committee and the Blanesborough Committee on Unemployment Insurance.

He was appointed “when it was essential that new ideals, vision and energy were required for Conway was then behind the times in the education she provided. Under his guiding hand a new spirit pervaded the Ship, the curriculum was amended, and the Ship received recognition as an efficient secondary school. The vast resources of Mr. Holt’s family business were put at the Ship’s disposal and all departments gave advice and help so that not only were the educational facilities improved but also the hull and fittings. A large programme of refit was put in hand. His retirement … will be a grievous loss to us, for it has been an inspiration to all on board to have a chairman whose watchword was always Service.”

On his retirement the post of President of the Management Committee was created specially for him.

Obituary

Brian Heathcote OBE MSc. 

Assistant Manager, Alfred Holt. He had already been associated with the ship for over 18 years. He was an educationalist and on the Council of Liverpool University and several other schools. Heathcote was introduced as a man with “like ideals” and “there is no man better to see the obstacles overcome and we look forward with confidence to his years in office.” As part of his first address to cadets, Heathcote demonstrated a deep understanding of Conway with a rallying cry, which resonates to this day “Tradition doesn't reside in the timbers of an old ship. It doesn't reside in bricks and mortar. Tradition is in us. It is the use we make of the examples of the past, to embellish it, to enhance it, and then to pass it on to the generations yet to come.” He retired because of ill health. 

Sir John Nicholson Bart CIE JP 

He was the managing director of Alfred Holt & Co, Chairman of Martins (now Lloyds) Bank and a Director of Royal Insurance. He had been on the committee for many years.

He was responsible for much of the planning and fundraising for the New Block. He was the first Chairman of the newly renamed the Conway Cadet School Ltd that took over ownership of Conway from the MMSA. He always tried to spend at least one weekend in the Ship every year.

In 1966 he was elected Chairman of the British Liner Committee and of the Committee of European Shipowners Committee. These entailed extensive travel so he relinquished his position as Chairman of Conway's Committee but remained on the committee. 

Julian Holt. 

Julian was Lawrence Holt's son. He gained his second mate's ticket with Blue Funnel and was Marine Manager of Elder Dempster. He was President of the Kirby & North Liverpool Sea Scouts, a Director of the OBSS Aberdovey, a Governor of Liverpool Institute High School and had been on the management committee for 12 years.

He was the last Chairman under Conway Cadet School Ltd ownership, followed by a period from 31st December 1967 as Chairman of a transitional committee until the British Shipping Federation assumed ownership. He then reverted to be a committee member and remained one until closure.

 Profile

Lt Cdr Stanley Grant Fowler RNVR MBE. 

Stanley spent six years in the the RNVR in armed trawlers in the Atlantic convoys, finally becoming a Lt Cdr in command of an American Tank Landing Ship. After being demobbed he went on to become Deputy Chairman and Managing Director of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Federal Steam Navigation Company. He had served in the RNVR, was also a director of the Australind Steamship Company and went on to a senior position in P&O Group.

He was the first chairman of Conway under British Shipping Federation ownership. He successfully negotiated with the Secretary for State For Education for Conway to be awarded Voluntary Aided Status. It was his "steadfastness of integrity and purpose" that settled Conway down after these turbulent changes.