After a successful naval career Mike moved into joinery and now owns the IBTC with his wife Lyn. He has a passion for the sea built during his time with the Royal Navy serving around the world.
Upon leaving the Navy he trained with an experienced joiner before enrolling at the IBTC to study boatbuilding. He is passionate wood work and promoting traditional skills and teaches joinery at the college.
Mike is also an excellent cook and hosts regular Paella nights for the students.
On leaving school David spent 20 years in the joinery and construction industry both employed and self-employed having run a building company for the last 5 of those.
Having had an interest in boats from a young age, in 2003 David enrolled at the IBTC. After graduating from the IBTC David spent 3 years working in a local yard specialising in high quality wooden boat repair before returning to the IBTC to work on two commercial projects, followed by a project nominated for Classic Boat restoration of the year.
David now runs IBTC marine services and teaches lofting, plumbing and electrics and more.
Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Rob has worked in the marine industry since training as a boat builder in the mid 1980’s.
Initially working in a small team building the world renowned Contessa 32 at M J Slacks in Lowestoft and then on to the rivers and broads of Norfolk and Suffolk on both hire fleets and private river boats.
Rob moved into commercial GRP repair for both the offshore and fishing industries as well as fit out and repair work in the leisure sector. He then spent a few years away from boats, making furniture before moving into education, firstly at Lowestoft College in the carpentry and joinery department and for the last 9 years here at IBTC Lowestoft.
In addition to instructing in the boatshed Rob specialises in wood machining, GRP moulding and repair, rope work, splicing and wire work.
Maynard has spent all his working life around boats. He began in 1970 as an apprentice working for Herbert Woods in Potter Heigham and came to the IBTC for the first time in 1975 as a student.
Maynard left Herbert Woods in 1984 to become a self employed boatbuilder. He has worked on many projects over the years including three Norfolk wherries – the Albion, White Moth (which he skippered occasionally) and Ardea, plus a range of other traditional boats from dinghies to magnificent three mast 200ft sailing yachts.
Maynard refers to himself as a foreman rather than a teacher and is happy to offer hands on help to all students.
Away from boatbuilding he is happiest by the water and is passionate about wildlife and birdwatching.
Gary joined the college in 2018 and lecturers in GRP and composites. His varied career began at Lotus cars where he spent 17 years before moving to Fairline Yachts to work on hull and deck construction. He has also worked for the marine division of Marshall Aerospace on the construction of nuclear submarines and as Composites manager for Oyster Yachts.
In his spare time Gary sculls for Lowestoft Rowing Club where he is an official coach.
After a successful 30 year career in the City Lyn opted for a complete career change to become co owner of the college with husband Mike. Although she doesn’t have a marine background Lyn comes from a long line of craftsmen and is passionate about preserving and promoting traditional skills.
Lyn is responsible for the day to day running of the college and is relishing the new challenges the role is providing.
Gary is an internationally recognised designer, sculptor and a double gold medal winner at the Chelsea flower show.
Many more details can be found on his personal website http://garybreeze.co.uk/
Alex came to the IBTC as a student in 2015 when he enrolled on a 4 year boatbuilding course. Upon completion he found employment in a German shipyard before moving to Spirit Yachts in Ipswich.
He returned to the IBTC in 2017 as part of the commercial team. Alex is relishing his current work which includes two local Broads based projects; a Gentleman’s motor launch and a replica of a Norfolk Chet boat.
Sharon has worked at the IBTC since 2004. She was initially employed on the boatbuilding team but quickly found her niche on the painting varnishing and finishing side. She relishes being part of the commercial team and is thrilled to see many more women coming into the industry.
Sharon has worked on many different projects over the years including Snowgoose, the powerboat winner in the Classic Boat restoration of the year awards for 2014.
Tony joined the IBTC in October 2018 having spent many years at Aquafax in Wroxham where he was responsible for building up the East Anglian branch of the business. He is passionate about offering great customer service and now looks after the stores and procurements for the college.
Tony has spent all his working life in the marine industry and loves being around the water.
Sharon joined the office team at the college in February 2019. She comes from a strong administration background having worked for Palmers in Lowestoft for many years. She is married to Tony, has a love of boats and Norfolk and prides herself on her ‘can do’ attitude.