Our History

Donald Gosling joined the Royal Navy in 1943 at the age of 14. After his reluctant departure from the Navy in 1948, his love of the sea never left him, and he remained a passionate supporter of the Royal Navy for the rest of his life. 

Together with his business partner Ron Hobson, he formed a car parking company that became National Car Parks (NCP). Following the sale of NCP in 1998, the two remained firm friends and worked on many property ventures. 

Sir Donald Gosling established the Gosling Foundation in 1985, and it remained close to his heart throughout his life. He supported a wide range of organisations through the Foundation and was personally involved in many charities, including as Chairman then President of the White Ensign Association. He was also a leading figure in the Submarine Memorial Appeal, and the HMS Ark Royal Welfare Trust, vice-president of Seafarers UK, a Trustee of the Fleet Air Arm Museum and the Royal Yachting Association Seamanship Foundation, a patron of the Submarine Memorial Appeal and the HMS Ark Royal Memorial Trust and a Younger Brother of Trinity House. 

Sir Donald was knighted in 1976, and appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victoria Order (KCVO) in 2004. His dedication to the Navy was recognised with a series of Honorary ranks in the Royal Naval Reserve, from Captain through to Vice Admiral. In 2012, Her Majesty the Queen appointed him Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, a ceremonial honour being the Sovereign’s personal gift. 

Following Sir Donald’s death in 2019 at the age of 90, the Foundation is now chaired by his son Adam Gosling. Adam and his fellow Trustees are committed to continuing Sir Donald’s legacy and supporting the causes he cared about the most.