The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is shuffling its top team heading into 2019.

The water-safety charity has appointed Mike Owen as chair, replacing the outgoing Dawn Whittaker.

Owen has 25 years’ management and board experience and has specialised in not-for-profit bodies, membership associations and family-run enterprises.

At RLSS UK, Owen will focus on working with the board of trustees, providing "high levels of strategic insight" in order to shape and govern the future direction of the organisation.

He is joined on the new-look board by Maggie Bradley and Richard Rickwood, who have been appointed as trustees.

Owen's appointment was accompanied by the announcement that Jo Talbot has been named director of IQL UK – RLSS' awarding arm.

Talbot is a 20-year veteran of the active leisure industry and joined RLSS UK in 2015.

“These new appointments are crucial for the growth and development of RLSS UK as an organisational whole," said RLSS UK CEO, Di Steer.

“New ideas and innovations in leadership style will guide our journey for years to come.

The changes at the top of the organisations will continue into 2019, as Steer herself is stepping down from her role.

As the organisation seeks to appoint a new CEO, finance director Rick Tazzini has stepped up as interim CEO to guide the recruitment process.