This in on behalf of the Solent LEP. Ed
The establishment of an accountable group, made up of public and private sector experts, to drive the long-term sustainable growth of the Marine and Maritime Sector in the Solent was a key recommendation of the report by BIS (The Department for Business Innovation and Skills), led by Rear Admiral Rob Stevens CB, in April to identify the steps that should be taken to secure the future of the marine and maritime industries across the Solent.
Enabling transformational growth
The newly established group will now work to enable the transformational growth described in the report, which included recommendations to secure a permanent Head Quarters for the Ben Ainslie Racing Team’s America’s Cup challenge and work to undertake a feasibility study into the creation of a Large Structures Composites Centre in the Solent.
Brian brings a wealth of private sector expertise to the role, with over 20 years’ experience in the Marine and Maritime sector at organisations such as Thales, Marconi and, most recently, BAE Systems.
“Opportunity to make a real difference”
The new Solent Marine and Maritime Chairman, Brian Johnson, said:
“I am delighted to have been appointed to the group, which I believe has the opportunity to make a real difference to the Solent economy. We have a fantastic starting point. A lot has already been achieved on the two flagship projects in Rear Admiral Stevens report, at both the Ben Ainslie Racing Team HQ and National Large Structures Composites Centre, as well as other exciting developments like the UK Centre for Maritime Intelligence Systems announced this week.
“However, there is much work still to do if we are to maximise the benefit of these opportunities and build on these successes with further initiatives and I am looking forward to getting the new group together to agree our plans for this.”
Join the group
Organisations across the Solent are currently working to agree other representatives on the group, and the Solent LEP has today opened an invitation for more local Marine and Maritime business leaders to express an interest in joining the group.
The LEP is particularly keen to ensure SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) are represented on the group and is specifically seeking interest from Solent SME Marine and Maritime Business Leaders.
