Mersey Maritime Targets SMEs

Mersey Maritime Group is targeting firms across the region with a new improved membership package.

Mersey Maritime acts as a catalyst for businesses in the region providing networking, consultancy and growth opportunities in the maritime sector. Its communications manager Annette Parker said the new package offers an increased range of events, improved business development opportunities and a robust lobbying facility.

“We have always enjoyed strong support from Liverpool’s best known maritime companies, for example, Bibby, Peel, Cammell Laird, Maersk and Atlantic Container Line, as well as many smaller but equally well respected companies such as Brookes Bell, Salvesen and Denholm Handling. Now more than ever, other companies are realising the value of building their networks and are coming to us to help make that happen.”

“We would urge any firm keen to grow in the maritime sector on Merseyside to come and join us,” she said. “The maritime industry on Merseyside already employs 26,000 people in 1000 firms with a turnover of £2.5bn - and the prospects for growth are tremendous. Mersey Maritime is at the very centre of that and our new membership package provides terrific value. It has been designed to give firms the best possible platform to promote themselves to their target audiences. So, for example, the ability to network with decision makers has been strengthened and expanded. Our package now includes chairman’s dinners and business briefing events so firms can meet the right people in the right environment to develop business. These will reinforce our popular ‘Face-2-Face’ breakfast meetings. Moreover, we will also be offering members a stronger lobbying voice ensuring their concerns are championed with passion and purpose.”

Ms Parker said the maritime sector presents glittering opportunities for Merseyside and pointed to the SuperPort plans which are forecasting 21,000 new jobs by 2020, rising to 30,000 by 2030.

“Now is the time to get on board and see how your business can benefit from being active in the maritime sector,” she said. “We are a passionate supporter of the SuperPort vision and we believe it shows just how important the maritime sector is to Merseyside – and how huge the opportunities are for small firms in the sector. We would further emphasise the breadth and scope of the training we can offer to help firms grow and improve their skills gaps. We have expanded the range of apprenticeships available through our sister organisation, the Maritime and Engineering College North West – also part of Mersey Maritime Group - in line with the government’s commitment to apprenticeship training. We can now offer a much wider range of maritime related training frameworks that can help businesses of all sizes to up skill their existing staff and take on new people with the benefit of government support.”

Mersey Maritime offers a three tier membership package – sponsors, executive club and standard. For more information on joining contact Annette Parker on 0151 647 4747 Visit: www.merseymaritime.co.uk