The Pilotage Foundation is pleased to welcome two new Trustees to our Management Team. Their expertise and enthusiasm will help guide the Foundation over the coming years as we continue to fulfil our charitable mission — to collate and publish pilotage information for small vessels, supporting cruising sailors around the world.
Joining us in April 2025, Bill Aylward and Roger Bickerstaff bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the medical and legal sectors, as well as a shared passion for sailing and innovation.
Bill Aylward - Bill is a retired ophthalmologist who spent much of his career in London, where he championed the transition from paper to electronic records within the NHS. Upon retiring, he and his wife Kate traded their family home for a cruising catamaran, aboard which they have now logged over 25,000 nautical miles across the UK, Europe, and the Caribbean.
A qualified Yachtmaster Offshore, Bill also develops sailing apps with unique, practical features not readily available elsewhere. Over the past two winters, he has thoroughly tested his navigation app, AngelNav, alongside his business partner, Tom Cunliffe.
Roger Bickerstaff - Roger works as a technology and procurement lawyer – practicing in London, Dublin and San Francisco. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Nottingham. Roger works in the maritime sector – including advising on the set up of the European Marine Biology Research Consortium (EMBRC) and the MARINERG-i European Research Consortium for Offshore Renewable Energy.
From his work advising on the legal issues associated with digital transformation, Roger will bring insights to the Pilotage Foundation as it starts to transform from a mainly paper-based environment. Roger has also been a volunteer in the Cruising Association Regulatory and Technical Services group (RATS) for many years, specialising in providing guidance on yacht VAT issues.
We are excited to have Bill and Roger on board and look forward to their contributions as we continue to support the global cruising community.