Paul Mudie is in the office more often than not these days. Paul & Lesley lived aboard their 70ft narrowboat for over 13 years until May 2009. They managed a busy hire fleet of 28 boats before coming to Crick Wharf. Paul M was a call out engineer for a number of years and also operated a dry dock where he became intimate with flat bottoms. They bought the business when Andy B retired and ran it together until Lesley died in 2009. Paul M now concentrates on developing the brochures and website. He is also a national committee member of ABYA, the professional Association of Brokers & Yacht Agents.

Paul Smith was born into a boating family, who owned a 16' cabin cruiser that was soon changed for a 70' ex-Fellows, Morton & Clayton Josher narrowboat. Restored and converted by his father, Paul S then spent his childhood extensively cruising the inland waterways. Even whilst studying away for his Engineering Masters degree, he found time to research the local canals and introduce fellow students to boating. The family continue to cruise the same boat over 40 years on, with other waterways explored on foot or in shorter boats. Paul S entered the marine industry on a professional basis in 1996 and now undertakes most of the brokerage inspections for ABNB. He also represents the industry to the Boat Safety Scheme, British Marine Federation and British Standards Institute.

Sheila Smith's parents introduced her to boating through hiring, which developed into them fitting out their own boat to liveaboard. This inspired Sheila to fitout her own boat that she then lived on for nine years. She entered the boating industry professionally in 1990 as a Signwriter, and her artistic skills are also demonstrated in the boat drawings that she produces for the ABNB brochures.

Barry Watson works in the office Monday to Friday. He has a rich history of canal experience and memories from when he first started on the cut in 1979 and has never looked back. He has owned a narrowboat since 1985 and earned his living off the cut when he operated a pair of hotel boats. He currently lives aboard his 70ft narrowboat and his wide experience of boating and knowledge of the cut brings an added dimension to the advice we can offer.

Updated May 2010