Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, has appointed Robin Mortimer as its new Chair and Tom Boardley as Vice Chair.
Robin Mortimer was nominated by the British Ports Association and UK Major Ports Group, while Tom Boardley was nominated by the UK Chamber of Shipping.
New Chair and Vice Chair appointed
Maritime UK will be working closely with the UK government on its refresh to the Clean Maritime Plan
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Port of London Authority, Robin Mortimer was previously Vice Chair and replaced Sarah Kenny, who served as Chair from 2021.
Robin Mortimer started his term on 1 January 2023 and will be working with members to help steer the sector through the next two years, with its response to climate change top of the agenda. Maritime UK will be working closely with the UK government on its refresh to the Clean Maritime Plan, due to be published in 2023.
Maritime UK’s current priorities
Maritime UK’s current priorities are the environment, people, regional growth, competitiveness and innovation and works to bring coherence to the sector’s tasks of government on these shared priorities, as well as delivering programmes and initiatives to help move the dial within each area.
Programmes include the Diversity in Maritime programme, careers and outreach programme and Regional Cluster Development programme.
Greater understanding of the maritime sector within the UK
Commenting on his appointment, Robin Mortimer said “I am honoured to be taking the Chair of Maritime UK and to be given the opportunity to serve the UK's maritime industries at such a crucial time. There is now a much greater appreciation and understanding of the maritime sector within the UK, and how we can support major national missions like, decarbonisation, levelling up and becoming a research and development powerhouse.”
Our task over the next two years is to embed that progress, deliver a robust and tangible Clean Maritime Plan"
He adds, “Our task over the next two years is to embed that progress, deliver a robust and tangible Clean Maritime Plan, increase the impact of Maritime UK’s programmes in critical areas like people and bang the drum for UK PLC across the world. All of this whilst responding to challenging headwinds caused by underlying economic conditions and geopolitics.”
Accelerate the progress toward Maritime 2050
Robin Mortimer continues, “I am convinced that by working closer and closer together our sector will thrive, and I look forward to working with the member community to accelerate our progress toward Maritime 2050.”
Maritime UK is the umbrella body for the maritime sector, bringing together the shipping, ports, services, engineering and leisure marine industries. Its purpose is to champion and enable a thriving maritime sector. Maritime UK has responsibility for the coordination and delivery of industry recommendations within Maritime 2050.
Maritime UK members
Its members are Belfast Maritime Consortium, British Marine, British Ports Association, CLIA UK & Ireland, Connected Places Catapult, Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Maritime London, Maritime UK South West, Mersey Maritime, Nautilus International, Port Skills and Safety, Shipping Innovation, Society of Maritime Industries, Solent LEP, The Baltic Exchange, The Seafarers' Charity, The Workboat Association, Trinity House, UK Chamber of Shipping and the UK Major Ports Group.