Convening

• We convene key players in the sector in order to develop innovation, skills and infrastructure. The ocean economy is key to the culture and social fabric of the South West, with a famous history and if we work together a more prosperous and sustainable future.  
• We create economic evidence and strategy and support the development of strategic bids to government, including Smart Sound Plymouth and the Marine Business Technology Centre (£7M+), the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre (£16M), The Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and the only Innovate UK Launchpad fund of (£7M) dedicated to Maritime.

Voice 

• We are a paying member of Maritime UK – the industry-led umbrella organisation for the maritime sector, established at the request of Government and therefore have an unrivalled opportunity to champion the local sector, and highlight opportunities and challenges to policy makers and wider industry.
• We are one of a small number of regional maritime cluster organisations recognised by and who work with Government to champion and grow the sector.
• We contract to Maritime UK and the Society of Maritime Industries as National Innovation lead, ensuring that the SW is as close as possible to the national agenda and key Government departments.
• Between our board members we hold key national board positions including the National Shipbuilding Office Skills Delivery Group and the Marine Autonomous Systems Regulatory Working Group.

Collaboration

• We produce a monthly newsletter to a network of 3,500 subscribers packed with funding, skills, support and events – to enable businesses to find out about sector opportunities.
• We produce an extensive series of events across the region focussing on innovation, clean maritime and skills challenges such as the Ocean Tech Expo in June 2024 attracting 300 businesses to Plymouth, Clean Maritime summits, Aquaculture and Sustainable manufacturing..
• We have and will continue to promote our key strengths at exhibitions nationally and internationally.  
• We host quarterly drop in sessions where businesses receive peer to peer and network support on clean maritime, offshore wind, and skills.  
• We convene round table meetings to discuss pressing issues such as decarbonisation, skills and host maritime careers events to encourage young people to explore opportunities in maritime.