Collaboration
The Many Hats of Niamh Cowin: Lifeboat Crew, Theatre Whiz and TT Marshal
If you ask Niamh Cowin what she does, you might need a moment to catch your breath. By day, she’s a Technical Consultant at Zurich. By night (or whenever the pager goes off), she’s All Weather Boat Crew with Ramsey RNLI. And in between all that? She’s backstage at the Gaiety, marshalling the TT, helping out with charity fundraisers, and renovating a house with her husband.
Niamh’s journey into community life started early. ‘Being involved in the Manx community has been a part of my life since my childhood. It started around age 10, when I volunteered at the Great Laxey Mines Railway (under the supervision of my father). Since then I have also been involved in youth work, charity fundraising projects, work with Manx National Heritage, and productions at the Gaiety Theatre, both on and off stage.’
From the lifeboat station to the office
In 2022, after a few months volunteering with the RNLI, a chat with a fellow crew member led Niamh to a new full-time role. ‘He told me about Zurich’s core principles, the charity work they and their staff do, and how staff development is actively encouraged. Meaning that providing I was willing to put the work in, they would support me to get to where I wanted to go.’
Now two and a half years in, she’s thriving in a role that offers both challenge and balance.
Why collaboration matters
Niamh was recognised as one of this year’s Gef 30 Under 30 winners in the Collaboration category, supported by Robinson’s Food Hall. It’s a fitting honour for someone who thrives in team settings.
‘I believe I was chosen as a winner for the Collaboration category due to the varied teams I am a part of, and how a lot of what I do would not be feasible for a single person alone. Whether that is the orange army of the TT Marshals, the backstage crew who hide in the shadows at the Gaiety, or the shore and boat crew of the RNLI.’
Inspired by her father
Niamh names her dad as her biggest role model. ‘I do not remember a time when he wasn’t volunteering somewhere or helping the community in some way, which naturally made me want to do the same… If I could be even a 10th of as good as a person as he was, then I would see that as an achievement.’
Advice for anyone starting out
Her advice to others is honest and reassuring. ‘It is going to feel daunting, and there are going to be an awful lot of things that you don’t know or don’t understand. YET! But it’ll come with time. So give it a go, ask questions, do some independent learning (even if it’s just Google), and be honest with those around you with how you’re doing. The people around you want you to succeed, but they can’t help if they don’t know you need it.’
And her favourite advice? ‘Don’t be so focused on the what ifs and what might be best, that it means you prevent yourself from living and experiencing the now.’
What’s next?
When she first found out she was a Gef 30 Under 30 winner, Niamh’s goal was to complete her All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) crew training. That goal’s now ticked off. ‘I actually achieved this on the 1st May! I’m now a fully qualified member of Ramsey RNLI’s ALB crew.’
And if you’re wondering what she’s up to next, you’ll find her backstage at Calendar Girls at the Gaiety, marshalling the TT, and helping train the next wave of RNLI recruits. Oh, and maybe taking a breather to decorate her new home with her new Gef 30 Under 30 trophy.
‘To think that others feel what I do is worthy of recognition, acknowledgment, and praise – especially alongside an incredible group of peers – I cannot explain what that feels like, nor how much it means.’
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