Cornwall Marine Network (CMN) and Marine South East (MSE), both non-for-profit membership organisations working with the UK’s vibrant marine industry, have joined forces to create the beginnings of a new collaboration, Blue Growth UK.

Blue Growth UK will enable a growing number of regional marine and maritime cluster organisations across the UK to join with CMN and MSE to work together and jointly develop new services for their respective marine member businesses, all focussed on improving economic prosperity.

Blue Growth UK will help the growing marine sector manage the challenges of a rapidly changing world, the potential uncertainty post-Brexit and consolidate collective capabilities and strengths across the regional Blue Economy.

The wider network will encourage collaboration between member clusters in all sectors of the Blue Economy and their supply chains, including: marine transportation and port logistics; marine and offshore energy facilities; aquaculture; surveillance; defence; tourism cruise and marine leisure; and blue biotechnology.

Nationally, there are a number of respected business-led regional cluster organisations that facilitate investment and cooperation between marine and maritime firms. The collaboration aims to expand its membership to include the majority of existing marine networks across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, building a membership of over 8,000 marine businesses.

Blue Growth UK also recognises there is an opportunity to innovate and diversify into the wider Blue Economy, potentially exploiting new and emerging growth markets. Setting the foundations for a future proof organisation, this stronger collaborative approach will enable the company to look for project income outside of the European Union and aligns with the government’s agenda to support national rather than regional or local initiatives.

“It’s about more collaboration in bigger numbers, positioning ourselves to be able to reach outside Cornwall to keep supporting business in Cornwall,” said Paul Wickes, CEO of CMN. “If Brexit happens CMN via Blue Growth UK, has a way forward to look for other funding streams outside the EU, accessing opportunities on both a national and international basis. For the next three and half years we continue to have access to EU funding in Cornwall but through the new collaboration we aim to position ourselves to be able to take advantage of any new opportunities created and to channel this benefit back to members at CMN.”

Jonathan Williams CEO of MSE, added: “Our joint venture with CMN reflects the need for a prime focus on creating new and larger business opportunities, and especially business-to-business relationships, so all of our member companies stand to benefit. Other UK-based clusters can join us in growing numbers, strengthening the collaborative working.”

Companies interested in learning more about Blue Growth UK should contact CMN on 01326-211382; or email paul.wickes@cornwallmarine.net.