Workplan and Membership

Maritime UK SW value proposition to members

Maritime UK South West brings together the breadth of our ocean economy, working in partnership to champion, grow and clean the sector.

We are a not for profit company, run for and by our members. Our annual work plan, which is set by our board is financed via membership fees and contract delivery. We have a small and efficient team who punch well above our weight by working with partners to lobby and promote, stimulate growth and innovation, share opportunities, develop skills provision and market careers in our sector.

Our membership offer is designed primarily to benefit the member, in addition to delivering value for the sector, the region and the environment.

As an inclusive organisation, we have membership opportunities for all. We have set out the types of membership below, along with the cost and examples of the benefits that each membership option will provide to your organisation.

Members can be based anywhere in the UK, provided they have a commitment to the maritime sector, particularly here in the South West – from Cornwall to the wider Bristol Region.

Benefits of membership to your business include:

Option to join the MUKSW Board to steer the work of MUKSW and benefit from this top level SW network with quarterly board meetings.
Dedicated account manager who will build a bespoke relationship with you to ensure they understand your organisation, your priorities, and your challenges – creating an organisation specific collaboration plan with MUKSW.
Opportunity to become a “network adviser” – established as a new program to build a cohort of experts to advise SW businesses to be promoted via the MUKSW website.
Insertion in the MUKSW supply chain map.
Introductions to potential clients, partners, or investors.
Increased exposure, with your logo on our website, newsletter (3,500 circ) and collateral.
Inclusion in our website & videos shot at your premises.
Inclusion in the MUKSW careers magazine.
Free tickets to paid events and exclusive early access to additional tickets.
Priority opportunity to support delegations to the area, to join/host/chair working groups, roundtables and dinners, national maritime events and Parliamentary receptions.
Advocacy and representation via our program of lobbying, responses to government consultations, membership of Maritime UK and well established relationships with sector groups and Government.

There are three levels of membership available:

Strategic Partner – £3,000 or £1500 for SMEs + VAT
Sponsor – £600 + VAT
Network member – Free

In 8 years MUKSW has retained all of its strategic partners and created a growing cohort which has enabled us to expand our delivery and our offer to members.

“We had been driving a project forward addressing the issue of End of Life Boats, and had made no progress with key industry organisations. MUKSW invited me to present on the topic at events both online in person. This resulted in getting funding to run a pilot project which was very successful, and we are now looking to expand on this and create a SW Hub to expand the project. Without the support and energy that MUKSW put behind it, it’s unlikely we would have succeeded”.

James Scott-Anderson, Founder & CEX,

Blue Parameters

To arrange a meeting to discuss the work of the cluster and membership contact, Sheldon Ryan, Chief Executive, sheldon.ryan@maritimeuksw.org or call 07739359389.

What does Maritime UK South West do?

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.