The 1UK Team

alan.priddy@1uk.com

We are pleased to introduce Alan Priddy.
Alan has a wealth of sailing experience and currently holds 37 previous world records to his name.

"Ocean racing legend and skipper of Team Britannia, Alan Priddy has been given a top honour by the University of Portsmouth as a doctor of science( honoris causa)."

“Alan was born in Portsmouth, he was sailing by 8 years of age and in charge of a motorised dingy by the age of 11,” he said.
Alan was a big fan of Sir Alec Rose; he followed his adventures and was enthused by them. He was in the flotilla that welcomed Sir Alec home on the 4th July 1968 after his 354 day single-handed circumnavigation of the planet on his boat Lively Lady. Rose’s became Alan’s mentor and his moto “If you believe you can, you can” enthused Alan whilst his answer the question what can go wrong? “You can die”, luckily failed to dampen this enthusiasm.”

Alan has now joined 1uk.com in our joint effort to raise further sponsorship for by his latest adventure Team Britannia. the multi-million pound British bid to design and build the fastest and most fuel efficient semi-wave slicing powerboat to circumnavigate the globe.

“Amongst his early non-sailing challenges Alan canoed and rowed around the Isle of Wight. He undertook his first challenge in a rigid–hulled inflatable boat (a RIB) in 1990 when he set a record for a journey around Scotland in a 15 foot boat. Several record-breaking journeys followed around Britain (1992), Ireland (1993) and in the Bay of Biscay (1996).

“Alan was 2nd in the 1993 Round Britain RIB challenge, and then in 1997, he attempted the Atlantic Challenge in a 24 foot RIB. The route went from Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the USA to Portsmouth, Hampshire, stopping on the way in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland and Northern Ireland. Luckily Alan is “fascinated by ice” because he was blocked by it, and found himself in an open boat, 500 miles from safety with 100 miles-worth of fuel on board. He waited 5 days for an ice-breaker and, 21 days after he set-off, he made it to Portsmouth.

“Further RIB challenges and records followed: London to Monaco in 99 hours and 19 minutes; the Circumnavigation of Britain in five days, six hours and five minutes. In 2002 Alan, Clive Tully, Alan Carter and Steve Lloyd attempted to circumnavigate the globe in the custom-built RIB Spirit of Cardiff, one of the largest RIBs in the world at the time with an overall length of 33 feet. But the voyage ran into difficulties and was prematurely concluded when one of the crew suffered heart problems 350 miles from Newfoundland.

“In 2003, Alan attempted to cross from St. John's, Newfoundland to Cape Wrath in Scotland in less than 100 hours. The Spirit of Cardiff was refurbished and became The Jolly Sailor. A gruelling voyage ensued with the boat being battered by 50 knot winds. Despite this Alan set the fastest transatlantic crossing by a RIB. In 2004, Alan attempted to return the Jolly Sailor to Newfoundland to be used by charitable organisations, but the boat was hit by a large wave, sank and the crew had to be rescued.

“You should now understand at least two things, firstly, Alan is a man who has known disappointment but persists in the face of it, a good lesson for life; there is a difference between endurance and the ability to endure. Secondly, you now know why an expert in sea survival, rather than engineering, is giving this oration.

“As of 2012, Alan had recorded 37 world records and 12 British national records.”

He added: “Having achieved much on the water, if you ask Alan what his proudest moment is he will tell you it is the work he is doing with the charity Blesma a charity for limbless veterans that includes Team Endeavour. Coincidentally, “endeavour” is probably the word that best describes Alan. It is also a good word for today.”
All of us at 1uk.com are proud to have Alan as a member of our team and to work with him and the teambritannia team to make this a next world record a success for the team and the Sponsors.
If you would be interested in sponosoring the event and visiting the boatyard to see the boat please contact us for more information at sponsors@1uk.com

alistair.thompson@1uk.com

We are pleased to introduce Alistair Thompson

Alistair's background and skill set make him a valued new member of the 1uk.com team.
Alistair set up Team Britannia PR, to allow him to support three projects that were close to his heart, Alan Priddy's round the world powerboat record attempt, the restoration of an historic sailing boat and a homeless project based in Portsmouth.

After leaving his former company, where he looked after some of the UK’s leading think tanks, high profile corporate clients and politicians, he wanted to turn his passion into a business that supports similar groups and charities.

He specialises in developing bespoke public relations and public affairs campaigns for these organisations. He has worked closely with and advised several leading charities and political figures and think tanks.

Alistair works closely with organisations campaigning to protect freedom of speech and religious rights.

He oversaw the highly successful campaign Reform Section 5, which changed the law on insults, and the campaigned against the introduction of IPNAs. He has helped to publicise cases of religious intolerance and freedom of expression cases in the UK and currently runs Defend Free Speech.

Prior to working for MIP, Alistair was the PR and Marketing Coordinator at the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which pioneered sailing with physically disabled and able bodied adults, aboard two magnificent squared rigged tall ships, STS Lord Nelson and STS Tenacious.

He began his career as a journalist in Portsmouth and was a regular media commentator on local TV.

Alistair has been at the sharp end of politics running both general election and local election campaigns since the 1990s. He stood for Parliament in the West Bromwich East constituency in the 2010 general election.

He was an elected councillor for Hilsea Ward in the City of Portsmouth, from 2000 – 2015 when he stood down.

In 2016 in recognition of Alistair’s “…long eminent and outstanding service…” to the City of Portsmouth he was made an honourary Alderman.

If you would be interested to learn more about our round the world challenge in 2020 or to become a sponsor please email to sponsor@1uk.com. We can also invite you to view the boat at its current stage in progress in the shipyard to see just how impressive it is.