Kimberly Karlshoej, leading shipping figure has been appointed as new Head of The ITF Seafarers' Trust, a major funder of seafarers' welfare.

Kimberly Karlshoej is well known as a founder and, until recently, Director and Programme Officer of The TK Foundation, the Trust named after her father, J Torben Karlshoej, who founded the Teekay Corporation. She has also worked as a consultant to a number of maritime charities and has been an executive board member of the World Maritime University.

In Kimberley's words, "Shipping is a low-profile industry, and to the wider public, seafarers are practically invisible. There is a clear and pressing demand for programmes that can effectively alleviate their unique welfare needs. I am honoured by this appointment, and delighted by the opportunity to take the ITF Seafarers' Trust's important and ambitious work forward."

David Heindel, Chair of The ITF Seafarers' Trust stated: "This job attracted an incredible field of candidates. It is heartening that there are so many skilled and passionate people out there either working in this field, or hoping to. In the end, we chose Kimberly because of her obvious passion for seafarers' welfare and her record at The TK Foundation, which is rightly known for its pioneering work."

Steve Cotton, ITF General Secretary and Trustee of The ITF Seafarers' Trust, added: "We are proud of what the Seafarers' Trust does and I know that we will be prouder still of what it will achieve under Kimberly's highly experienced stewardship."

From Denmark, Kimberley Karlshoej qualified as a nurse and psychologist before helping set up the TK Foundation in 2002.

ISWAN warmly welcome the appointment and looks forward to working with Kimberly when she takes up the post.