Our Team

  • Our Team

Our Team

Paul Button

Paul Button

Operations Director

A professional Youth Worker and Outdoor Activity Manager who has a passion for the great outdoors and the opportunity to share that experience with others.

Having worked in the industry for over 30 years I have seen the changes in those that take part and how this has positively affected their lives.

This is more than evident when working with hundreds of people with all kinds of disabilities every year at the Mersea Island Festival

Having lived on Mersea Island for a similar amount of years I wanted to put the two together with a project that involved the sea and opening up opportunities to others who may not normally have the chance to experience such adventures

Chris Dawson

Director & Boat Builder

Chris was born on Mersea Island and spent most of his childhood messing about on boats and exploring the creeks and mudflats around the Island then going home covered in mud, wellies full of water!

Most of my earlier working life was in my father's building company and later in partnership with him but the sea was never too far away and I always yearned to be on the water.  I could always see it calling me when I was on a rooftop, twinkling in the distance!

When I moved to East Mersea with room for a workshop that was it, I was going to build my own boat which I did, "Miss Molly".  From there my work has slowly evolved from building to boat building with more passion for the latter. 

Being on the water is a completely different experience to anything else, every day afloat always an adventure.  I am always at my happiest there and it would be a privilege to be able to share this with others, especially those who may have thought that they would never be able to experience it.

Chris Dawson
Sophie Weaver

Sophie Weaver

Non Exec Director + Access Activist

As a born and bred Mersea Islander I can appreciate what it means to live with the sea on your doorstep.  I love our island life but as a wheelchair user I have always found it difficult to get out on the water.  On the occasions that I have managed to get a willing team of people together to get me onto a boat, it has been a fantastic experience. 

My work life has taken me across the UK and Europe working for the cultural sector, trying to achieve greater access for all, regardless of ability or background. 

"As a wheelchair user I have always championed equality and I am passionate about instigating change where it is needed."

I am very pleased to be a Director of Freedom Boat Adventures.  It is very exciting to be part of this ground-breaking project, which will see the changes needed in boat accessibility.  It will open up a new world of water adventures to people who currently find it difficult or impossible.

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Sebastian Shillaker

Non-Executive Director

Sebastian has been building and repairing boats since he was a skinny 17 year old, working in his first boat yard on the Hythe in Colchester.  Since then, he has worked both abroad and all over the UK, building a variety of boats including racing yachts, luxury yachts and wind farm vessels.  He has a wealth of experience and a proven record in running builds from start to finish, on time and on budget. 

"I joined Freedom Boat Adventures because Chris asked if I would be interested in lending my knowledge and experience in boat building to this project.  It's a meaningful project that will help the community and give people an opportunity to get out on the water that may not have been possible before."

Sebastian has always enjoyed being active outdoors, whether climbing or downhill biking in the mountains or surfing in the ocean.  He is currently introducing his daughters to the world of outdoor adventures because "it's important to me and I feel that these adventures should be accessible and available to everyone regardless of ability."

Sebastian Shillaker