John Syvret - Chief Executive - Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders Ltd - “Back in 2008, the average age profile of the workforce at Cammell Laird was 47; so while we had a very highly skilled and experienced team, we were quick to recognise the need to address a potential skills gap up ahead. For a company like ours that is winning significant contracts with a life cycle of 25 years or more, it’s essential that we bring young people in now and train them up to plug that gap. In the last two years, as a result of close collaboration with Mersey Maritime, we‘ve committed to a long-term training programme in partnership with the Maritime and Engineering College that has already seen our apprentice numbers rise from zero to more than 60. It’s put us in a much stronger position. We’re in better shape to plan for growth, we’re fulfilling a commitment to provide jobs for young people in this region and we’re revitalising the way we run our business.”
Louise Ellman - MP for Liverpool Riverside - Member of the Transport Select Committee - “As a Liverpool MP, I have found Mersey Maritime indispensable in assisting me to understand key challenges faced by the ports, maritime and logistics sector. Since its launch in 2003 it has played a critical role in supporting this vital sector and ensuring that key issues are addressed. Their key recent work with Ports Rates and Light Dues has been vital in bringing these issues to the attention of MPs and Government and ensuring that some action was taken to mitigate their impact. I regard Mersey Maritime as a key partner.”
Jens Nielsen - Managing Director - DFDS Torline - “I first came across Mersey Maritime in September 2008 during the campaign against the imposition of backdated business rates for port based companies. Mersey Maritime had an established network and helped to open doors we had been pushing against for months. Within six weeks, the whole issue was in front of the Treasury Select Committee and consequently was the subject of several debates both in the Commons and the Lords. There is nothing like Mersey Maritime in any other region of the UK and there needs to be.”
Colin Sharpe - Business Development Manager - Port of Workington - Mersey Maritime’s growth and success is testament the commitment of its private and public sector partners across Merseyside. The roles it has developed and, strategically, its vision to build the North West as a centre of excellence for logistics, is one to which the Port of Workington wholeheartedly subscribes. As a result, we are delighted to announce that the Port of Workington will forge a collaborative model to replicate the Mersey cluster in the establishment of Cumbria Maritime & Logistics. Mersey Maritime’s willingness to share their experiences will be pivotal to the success of the new cluster and will establish a robust mechanism to represent maritime and logistics across the whole of the North West."
Debbie Black - Principal - DGB Solicitors - “DGB Solicitors specialises in the defence of personal injury claims, particularly marine-related claims. We joined Mersey Maritime in 2009 in order to keep abreast of issues in the maritime sector and raise our profile within that sector. Eighteen months later, we are clear that it’s been time and money well spent. We are now part of a very effective, industry-focused ‘communications loop’ and have achieved a number of productive business collaborations as a result. As a small business starting out, one of the biggest challenges is getting yourself in front of the right people; Mersey Maritime is well-connected and its ability to link people up and help make things happen is invaluable.”
Professor John Wilson - Head of Strategy, Organization and Policy - University of Liverpool Management School - “Mersey Maritime provides a vibrant example of the considerable possibilities in clustering, bringing together and engaging a large number of mutually-supportive organisations and firms into a body that has both achieved much in the past and will continue to flourish in the future. Other regional or industry groupings that are considering similar strategies ought to look at Mersey Maritime as a prime example of how to extract the best that the potential in clustering offers.”
Graham Fraser - Managing Director - CMA CGM - “As part of our ongoing commitment to Liverpool, CMA CGM wanted to expand our operations in the city. However, in order to achieve this we needed to make sure the project would be cost effective. Mersey Maritime were tremendous in the work they did in helping us to deliver this project and create new employment opportunities in the sector.”
John Flamson - Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development - University of Liverpool Management School - “Mersey Maritime is an excellent organisation. When I was at GONW and was lead director for Merseyside I was heavily involved in introducing the sector development programme and in supporting the establishment of Mersey Maritime. Mersey Maritime commanded respect from the outset among public bodies and, most importantly, businesses within the sector, and engaged fully with their membership. Armed with the authority and market intelligence this gave them, they have been able to play an active role in the policy arena at national, regional and local levels and devise interventions that are helping businesses to adapt to shifting markets and technologies, think innovatively, address organisational, process and technical issues and to upskill their workforces. Mersey Maritime is what I hoped all sector organisations would be like.”
Tony Woolrich - Managing Director - NW Trading - “Eighteen months ago, my company was suddenly and unexpectedly faced with a massive backdated rates bill that threatened to undo ten years of building a business and put 60 loyal, skilled people out of work. Mersey Maritime helped form the Mersey Dock Rating Group and worked closely with the local authorities, MPs and Central Government to delay the collection of bills while lobbying to have the debt removed. Crucially, this bought time for affected companies and helped mitigate the overall impact on our business. As a result of Mersey Maritime’s intervention, NW Trading and many other companies have been able to trade through a very difficult situation while safeguarding jobs and businesses.”
