News: Maritime UK Board visits Liverpool

Maritime UK held its Board meeting in Liverpool at the home of Mersey Maritime – the representative body of the maritime sector in the Liverpool City Region on Friday.

Mersey Maritime joined the Board of Maritime UK last year. Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, Chris Shirling-Rooke, now chairs the Maritime UK Cluster Group, focussed on developing similar Cluster organisations across the UK. Talking about the visit, Mr Shirling-Rooke said:

“It’s fantastic to be given the opportunity to host today’s Maritime UK Board meeting. We welcomed the Board to Liverpool yesterday evening (Thursday) and have been showing them the regeneration that has been happening here in the city. We have also been able to offer our members the opportunity to meet and present their business ideas to the Chairman of Maritime UK, David Dingle.”

Ben Murray, Manager of Maritime UK, added:

“We’re delighted to bring the Board to Liverpool, providing an opportunity for Board members to meet some of the region’s innovative and dynamic maritime businesses. The visit also further demonstrated to industry leaders how a successful maritime cluster works – bringing together industry, local government and academia, to foster innovation and drive growth. We’re excited about supporting and developing this model across the UK.”

Board members from Maritime UK and key Mersey Maritime guests attended a drinks reception with the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, on Thursday evening followed by a private dinner hosted by financial planning and investment firm Tilney, prior to visiting Liverpool John Moores University and the University’s Ships Bridge and Engine Room Simulators on Friday.

Amongst other agenda items, the Board meeting discussed industry's priorities for next month's general election and the maritime sector's plans for responding to the industrial strategy. 

Local SMEs were also given the chance to attend and meet with Chairman of Maritime UK, who is also Chairman of Carnival UK, giving business from the region the opportunity to present their own business ideas to Mr Dingle.