Farewell to a Familiar Face: Chris Windsor Retires from Dover Marina

11 June 2026

After three decades of challenges, triumphs and welcoming visitors to one of Europe’s most iconic ports, Chris Windsor is hanging up his marina manager’s hat. Chris retires from Dover Marina on 26 June, bringing to a close an impressive career that began back in April 1995, when he was a young seasonal worker running along the pontoons, tying up yachts.

“It’s a little bit bittersweet,” Chris admits. “I’ve been here since ’95, so a lot of memories, a lot of progress, a lot of challenges over the years.” He became marina manager in 2004, a role he has held for over 20 years, and during that time he oversaw Dover’s transformation from a modest facility into the modern, well-equipped marina it is today. “When we started, all we had was a few pontoons in the Wellington Dock,” he recalls. “I’ve seen the whole spectrum.” It is a transformation in which he takes quiet satisfaction: “Proud to be leaving it in a better state than I found it – I think that would be the best way to put it.”

Dover Marina has been a member of TransEurope Marinas for over 25 years and formed part of the network in the days when it was still known as Transmanche. Throughout that time, Chris has been one of its most loyal and enthusiastic ambassadors. “I’m never short of telling people, when they ask why they should berth with us, that one of the key reasons is we are a TransEurope Marina,” he says. “Once they understand it, it’s a massive bonus. They know they’re going to save money, and they know they’re going to a marina with high standards.”

Dover Marina has served as a valuable transit point for sailors moving between northern Europe and the west coast of England.  Chris’s highlights over the years are many: record-breaking seasons with over 12,000 visitor nights, meetings with Princess Anne on three separate occasions, and a visit from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. But what Chris values most is harder to quantify. “The best memory is the team I’ve got,” he says warmly. “They are really passionate about what they do. They’re truly dedicated to customer service. And it makes my job easy. I never wake up thinking twice about coming in at half six in the morning, with a smile on my face.”

His harbour master’s description of Chris as a “unicorn”; someone who can run the office, operate the boat lift, answer a call at 11 o’clock at night and turn up without complaint, is one Chris graciously deflects. “I’m not unique, most marina managers do that. They live and breathe the job.”

His advice to the next generation of marina managers is simple: “Embrace it. ” And for his own part? “Whenever anybody asks me how I’m doing, I say I’m living the dream. I have been for the best part of 30 years. And with some exciting travel plans over the next few months, I’m going to go off and live a different type of dream now.”

We at TransEurope Marinas wish Chris a wonderful retirement. You have shown what it is to be an exemplary marina manager, Chris. Fair winds and smooth seas.