Tim Gedge, founder and Honorary Life President of the Boat Building Academy (BBA) and Furniture School in Lyme Regis has been presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the boating community ‘Oscars.’
The 82-year-old retired Naval Commander from Beaminster received the accolade at the Classic Boat Awards 2025, held at the Royal Thames Yacht Club (in April).
Around 140 guests attended the 19th annual event which recognises the outstanding work of the classic boat community’s builders, designers, members, and owners.
Tim started out as an engineer before a distinguished Royal Naval career as a fighter pilot. This included commanding the first operational Sea Harrier squadron and then a second squadron specifically for the Falklands Conflict. He was awarded the Air Force Cross.
His Naval career continued in Whitehall, at sea and in America and on retirement he founded the BBA, which trains boat builders for the UK and international boat building industry.
Will Reed, Director and Co-Chair of the BBA gave a speech about Tim’s illustrious career, before going on to present his award.
Will told the audience: “Tim’s principal aim from the outset was to preserve boat building skills, embrace emerging techniques and modern materials and provide professional training for prospective boatbuilders. Since its inception in 1997, over 280 boats have been launched from the BBA, and 640 boat builders have emerged into the world.
“Tim has remained an inspirational figure in boatbuilding spheres - without his dedication and forethought many traditional woodworking skills would have simply been lost.
“The Academy has also grown to include furniture making, and in 2020, Tim spearheaded a long-held ambition to convert the BBA to a charity with the aim of providing bursaries to those who cannot afford the training. To date £450k has been raised for bursaries with an ongoing process of fundraising to continue this life-changing support.
“Tim’s vision, determination and leadership have created a centre of excellence that provides superb training and preparation for students to enter the boatbuilding industry. Many of those graduates (including me) speak of the profound life-changing experience of attending one of our courses.
“Personally, he has always been an invaluable mentor and has become a firm friend. It is a huge privilege to work with him and long may it continue.”
Tim received a standing ovation from his peers.
He said: “It is a real honour to receive this award, and it reinforces the importance of continuing the highest standard of training in heritage and modern boat building that we offer at the Boat Building Academy.
“I am delighted that the BBA is now operating as a successful charity and that many more people are able to join us.”
