Chris Shirling-Rooke

Chris is Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, the sector champion for the maritime industry in the North West of England and which is now considered to be one of the best examples of a ‘Maritime Cluster Organisation’ in Europe (DG MARE, Brussels).  He leads a professional team whose role is to support business growth, highlight the breadth and diversity of the sector, and strengthens regional supply chains by building relationships across companies of all sizes – from ports and global shipping lines to engineering firms and innovative start-ups.

Chris is a fierce defender of all mental health issues and as well as having a number of thought pieces published, has also created safe spaces allowing open and supportive, no judgemental communications.  One such project was called the Positivity Club which was created in 2009 as a safe supported space for business leaders during the financial turmoil.