Cammell Laird - Experts & Thought Leaders

Cammell Laird is delighted to announce it has received the prestigious Gold Award under the MoD’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Signing the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to honour two main principles which are: no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage at work or in the community compared to other citizens and, in some circumstances, special consideration is appropriate for those who have given most, such as the injured or bereaved. Outstanding support Cammell Laird proudly signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2015 Cammell Laird proudly signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant in November 2015, a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. This year, 193 organisations received the Gold ERS Award, which is the highest badge of honour given by the UK Government Ministry of Defence to organisations showing outstanding support towards the Armed Forces and Veteran community. Recognition of Armed Forces David McGinley, Chief Executive Officer of Cammell Laird, said: “I am delighted that Cammell Laird has achieved such a prestigious award in recognition of our commitment to the Armed Forces." "Not only are we proud to serve the UK Ministry of Defence through our dedicated Defence Division, but also count a number of former service personnel as some of our most valued employees.”  Commitment to armed forces  McGinley added: “We have pledged an additional 10 days paid leave to our Reservist and Cadet Adult Forces Volunteer employees – allowing them to carry out crucial training and service to our country." "This award truly showcases our commitment as a Group to hiring Veterans, Reservists and Cadet Adult Forces Volunteers into our workforce, and supporting them as they progress through our business. Our commitment to the armed forces lies at the heart of our business and everything we do.” Nation’s contract with Armed Forces Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns said: “Our Armed Forces Community make incredible sacrifices to keep the nation safe, and it is only right that they are welcomed and valued in the workplace when they leave service. This scheme aligns with this government’s determination to renew the nation’s contract with our Armed Forces.” “I would like to thank the nearly 200 organisations that have been recognised with a gold award this year. Their continued support ensures that our Armed Forces Community are given opportunities needed to flourish.” Building and repairing navy vessels Cammell Laird has played a crucial role in both building and repairing navy vessels. During World War II, Cammell Laird produced nearly 200 commercial and military vessels in support of the UK war effort. Since then, Cammell Laird has gone on to support the build of the Royal Navy's Type 26 Frigate and Dreadnought Class Submarines on behalf of BAE Systems and manufactured a substantial part of Her Majesty’s QEC Class Aircraft Carriers on behalf of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance. The APCL Group supports 100% of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, which sustains the Naval Defence around the world.

APCL Group facility - Cammell Laird welcomed Rear Admiral Donald Doull CBE to its facility recently.  The Rear Admiral, Senior Responsible Officer for the Royal Navy's Dreadnought Submarine Programme, visited Cammell Laird to present an award in recognition of its exceptional contribution to Dreadnought programme delivery. Birkenhead facility tour The Rear Admiral was invited for a presentation with APCL directors, followed by a full workforce briefing and tour of the Birkenhead facility, where the units are being fabricated. The Dreadnought Class will replace the existing Vanguard fleet and will be the Royal Navy’s biggest, most powerful, and technically advanced submarines, when they begin to enter service in the early 2030s. UK nuclear deterrent Rear Admiral Donald Doull spoke of the increasing importance of the UK nuclear deterrent Rear Admiral Donald Doull spoke of the increasing importance of the UK nuclear deterrent, the UK’s nuclear attack submarine force, and the critical role played by Cammell Laird in delivering them. Mike Hill, Managing Director of Cammell Laird, said, "The Dreadnought programme has been a key facilitator of growth not only for our business but our award-winning apprenticeship programme." Workforce skills Mike Hill adds, "I am proud that so many local young people continue to learn their trade on a project of such national importance. This award is a testament to the commitment and skills of our entire workforce and I am proud to share this award with every one of them." Block-build units In addition to delivering Dreadnought, Cammell Laird successfully delivered the block-build units for boats four, five, six, and seven of the new Astute Class for BAE Systems, which will equip the UK Royal Navy with its largest and most powerful fleet of attack submarines. Each of the seven new Astute Class nuclear-powered submarines weighs approximately 17,200 tonnes and provides the Royal Navy with enhanced capabilities in terms of power, weapons load, communication facilities, and stealth.

The crucial importance of the maritime industry to the Liverpool City Region was the focus of a full day tour for the Shadow Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP, when he visited the area on Thursday 15th February 2024. Hosted by Mersey Maritime, alongside some of its key partners, he was given a detailed update by the regional cluster organisation for the industry in the North West before embarking on a visit to Cammell Laird and the Port of Liverpool in the afternoon. During lunch, Mr Kane also visited Nautilus International’s Mariners’ Park facilities in Wallasey to see progress on their award-winning project to deliver a combined complex of additional seafarer retirement apartments and a new head office. Greener maritime offer Reflecting on his visit, Mike Kane MP said: “It was fantastic to be back in the Liverpool City Region for an update from Mersey Maritime and to see first hand the exceptional work being delivered by key businesses such as Cammell Laird and the Port of Liverpool. Both are key drivers of the maritime industry in the region, investing in infrastructure and people to deliver excellence for the sector which makes such a substantial contribution to the local economy.” Retaining talent amongst young people to work in maritime is a big focus for both organisations" “Retaining talent amongst young people to work in maritime is a big focus for both organisations and it was fantastic to hear of the longstanding commitment to apprenticeships at the shipyard as well as how the port is delivering investment to help it transition to a cleaner, greener maritime offer.” “A future Labour government is committed to seeing economic investment into coastal communities and these areas thrive. That’s the focus of organisations like Mersey Maritime and their member businesses too and I look forward to future collaborations in the months and years to come.” Maritime policy priorities Commenting, Chief Executive of Mersey Maritime, Ruth Wood, said: “We value very much the relationship we have developed over recent years with Mike Kane in his shadow ministerial role. With maritime in the Liverpool City Region being worth over £5 billion to the economy and supporting such significant numbers of jobs, we are passionate to tell this story to parliamentarians across the political spectrum.” “Mersey Maritime has undergone much internal change in recent months, so it was good to bring Mike up to speed on our focus going forward: decarbonisation projects, skills and innovation – the themes that are at the forefront of many maritime policy priorities just now. And what better way to demonstrate these themes in action with the opportunity for two of our key members to bring him up to speed on their work too.” Highly skilled workforce Cammell Laird has undergone a significant transformation and re-organisation over recent years" Commenting, Mike Hill, Managing Director of Cammell Laird, said: “We very much welcomed the visit of the Shadow Maritime Minister to Cammell Laird and having the opportunity to showcase ourselves as a key contributor to the regional economy. Cammell Laird has undergone a significant transformation and re-organisation over recent years, investing heavily not only in key infrastructure, but in addition, and most importantly, the continuation and growth to a huge apprentice and graduate training programme.” “The individuals engaged in it undergo a training programme that has been honed by ourselves and tailored to provide a highly skilled workforce as we become fit for future. Visits such as these are important to us. It is vital that the capacity and capability of Cammell Laird is widely recognised and understood and the significant opportunity this will bring for our future workforce with maintaining our key partnerships and our ‘stronger together’ initiative.” Providing sustainable opportunities Commenting, Phillip Hall, Port Director – Mersey at Peel Ports, said: “We were pleased to welcome the Shadow Maritime Minister, Mike Kane MP to the Port of Liverpool during his recent visit to the Liverpool City Region.” “The Port is an integral part of the city’s heritage and with its connections to the world, we’re hugely ambitious about leveraging its potential to provide sustainable opportunities that will allow the region to continue to thrive. We were very happy, therefore, to talk to the Shadow Minister about our significant investments at the Port, not only with regards to our leading infrastructure but also in the next generation of the Port’s workforce.”