R. Tucker Thompson Wins Social Impact Award

The R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust was the recipient of the EMA Recognition of Social Impact Not-For-Profit Award at Northland Business Excellence Awards on Friday 3 November 2023.

For 46 years, The Northland Business Excellence Awards, run by the Northland Chamber of Commerce, NorthChamber, has offered Te Tai Tokerau businesses the opportunity to measure, recognise, and honour business excellence. Independent judges assess business performance across leadership, business planning, staff, health and safety, customer and market strategy, as well as evaluation of financial and business processes.

The judges commented, “R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust’s thorough, professional entry demonstrated an excellent response to changing circumstances and market drivers, led and empowered by a new CEO.

Strategy has been reset, and when challenged by an opportunity to deviate from the plan, careful analysis led the team to the right decision to stay on their path.

Excellent, carefully measured results with youth development, partnership involvement with local businesses to help fill job vacancies and a clear focus on where and how most good can be done by the team, made this entry stand out to the judges.”

Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust’s Chief Executive Jo Lynch stated, “We are thrilled to receive the Recognition of Social Impact Award. The Trust consistently delivers positive outcomes for Northland’s rangatahi built on a solid foundation of careful and strategic business management. The outcomes for our youth, as formally measured by Otago University, are profound and our unique kaupapa positively impacts our communities, families and young people. We are privileged to do this special work, and grateful for the award”.

About the R. Tucker Thompson Sailing Trust
The R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust operates a youth development programme based in the Bay of Islands. The primary purpose is youth development, focused on rangatahi from Te Tai Tokerau. Annually they take 250 rangatahi youth, aged from 14 to 18 years on 7-day voyages on the tall ship the R. Tucker Thompson.

The Trust have a focus on delivering pathways to education and employment through their partnership programme. They train graduates and Northland youth to gain their Maritime NZ deckhand certification and support them into employment in the marine industry.

The organisation is funded by surplus from tourism activity, generous patrons, grants donations and sponsorship. The not-for-profit Trust’s mission is to empower all youth of Northland to lead rewarding lives.

For more information contact:
Chief Executive Jo Lynch
Phone: 027 577 3336
Email: jo.lynch@tucker.co.nz