Liverpool Seafarers' Champion Honoured with British Empire Medal

THE Chief Executive of Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC), John Wilson, has been awarded the prestigious British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his services to seafarers' welfare. The award highlights Mr. Wilson's commitment and contributions to improving the lives of those who arrive at the port of Liverpool.

Mr. Wilson's career path has been a diverse journey leading to his role at the Liverpool Seafarers Centre. Leaving Northern Ireland during the height of the Troubles to pursue his education in Birmingham, he graduated from the University of Surrey. His early career involved working with an international hospitality consulting group, where he gained extensive experience across the UK, Europe, and Africa on various projects. Subsequently, he transitioned to the independent sector, undertaking roles within NHS and independent hospitals.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Wilson highlights initiatives at LSC he is particularly proud of, stating:- "Over the years at Liverpool Seafarers Centre, we have aimed to create a home away from home for seafarers. From enhancing our facilities to offering a wide range of support services, every initiative is driven by the desire to improve seafarer well being."

Mr. Wilson is acutely aware of the significant challenges faced by seafarers today, including:- loneliness, isolation, restricted shore leave, long contracts, minimum crewing, and fast vessel turnarounds. He believes that more can be done to address these issues through:- "improved welfare facilities, from the quality of accommodation and provisions to ensuring access to shore leave and free WiFi. Shorter contracts and greater attention to working hours and rest periods are also crucial."

For Mr. Wilson, the most rewarding aspect of his work at the Liverpool Seafarers Centre is the direct impact he and his team have on the lives of seafarers. "Meeting with seafarers, both men and women, and being able to make a positive difference, even through a welcoming smile or by fulfilling their needs and wishes, is incredibly fulfilling."

Mr. Wilson's advice to anyone interested in supporting the welfare of seafarers is clear:- "Get involved. It can be challenging yet rewarding where you can make a difference in so many ways, from helping to distribute basic supplies or driving our crew minibus, to simply welcoming seafarers to our centre and serving them a drink. Even a few hours of your time can help us greatly. We have only this week been awarded with UK Best Place To Work accreditation, which is a testament to the commitment of our team to building a welcoming and supportive community for everyone."

Looking to the future, the Liverpool Seafarers Centre has ambitious goals. "Our aspiration is to continually improve our facility, offering 24-hour access to ensure seafarers can utilise our services at a time that suits their schedules. We also intend to create satellite drop-in centres in other nearby port locations to extend our reach and support to more seafarers." explains Mr. Wilson.

For Mr. Wilson, the BEM award holds deep personal and professional significance. "This recognition belongs to the entire team at Liverpool Seafarers Centre; our dedicated staff members and invaluable volunteers. Without their tireless efforts, our service provision simply would not exist."

John Wilson received his British Empire Medal, on:- Thursday, 22 May 2025, at the:- Rackets Club, Liverpool. The award was presented by:- Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside.

North West homebuyers face delays, stress and poor communication - new report shows strong support for digital transformatione

HOMEBUYERS in North West are affected by delays, miscommunication and a lack of transparency in the property transaction process, according to a major new report from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) The Future of Homebuying: Consumer Expectations and the Path to Digital Transformation.

New research from OPDA reveals that:-

• Those in the North West are more likely to be 1st time buyers:- 40% compared to 38% nationally.
  

• Those in the North West more likely than those nationally to rate the stress of the process as:- 10 on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is most stressful.
  

• Buyers in the North West found chasing for updates to be the most challenging part of the property transaction process.
  

• 87% of those in the North West were asked to provide the same information more than once.
  

• North West buyers and sellers were most likely to blame the conveyancer for delays.

These local findings are part of a national survey of more than 5,300 recent homebuyers and sellers, highlighting a broken homebuying system; 1 that relies on outdated processes, fragmented communication and repetitive paperwork. The report also reveals overwhelming public support for digital solutions, including:- the rollout of digital property packs that could make buying and selling faster, more secure and less stressful.

Key national findings include:-

• 40.6% of respondents cited poor communication between:- stakeholders as the most challenging part of buying or selling a home, while 39.5% reported needing to chase for updates.
  

• 62.3% were asked to provide the same documents multiple times, leading to confusion, stress and delays.
  

• 45.9% experienced delays of 3–6 months to exchange contracts, despite expecting it to take just 1–2 months.
  

• 82.2% responded positively to the concept of a digital property pack, and 76.7% said they would use such technology to securely share documents and data.
  

• Consumers ranked data security (33.1%) and ease of use (12.4%) as top priorities for digital tools.
  

• 25.5% believe the government should lead the charge on digital reform.

The report outlines a clear path forward, calling for mandatory digital standards, a government-backed trust framework and collaborative reform from industry and technology providers.

"People across the UK are telling us the current homebuying process doesn't work; and the North West is no exception. It's fragmented, outdated and often deeply frustrating. But the good news is that consumers are ready for change. They want digital tools that give them control, speed up transactions and reduce stress. Now it's time for the industry and government to act." says Maria Harris, Chair of OPDA.

The report sets out detailed recommendations for:- policymakers, estate agents, conveyancers, mortgage lenders, technology providers, and consumers; including:- the adoption of interoperable digital platforms, secure data-sharing protocols and public education campaigns to build trust in digital solutions.

Download the full report can be seen online at:- OpenPropdata.Org.UK.

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