A powerful UK delegation headed by Lord Montevans, this year’s Lord Mayor of the City of London, and Minister of State for Transport Robert Goodwill are attending Posidonia 2016.

A highlight of the visit will be an invitation-only reception hosted by the British Ambassador John Kittmer at his official residence on Tuesday evening, where a crowd of some 400 is expected.

Lord Mountevans is no stranger to maritime having worked for 44 years as a gas tanker broker with Clarksons. Chairman of promotional body Maritime London, he also chaired last year’s UK Maritime Growth Study, giving his name to the resulting recommendations known as the ‘Mountevans Report’.

Earlier this year he launched a new report compiled by independent analysts PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) into ‘The UK’s Global Maritime Professional Business Services’ which found that the sector contributes some £4.4bn annually to the UK economy.

“The report highlights the wealth of expertise that the UK has in terms especially of maritime lawyers, insurers, education and training, and of course financial services,” the Lord Mayor later commented in an exclusive interview afforded to Posidonia official publication Hellas Maritime.

“And these include specialised areas like P&I Clubs, average adjusting, arbitration and naval architecture,” he added, “so there is great breadth and depth to the offer and it’s a ‘one stop shop’ that makes (the UK) very attractive.”

Lord Mountevans will also be delivering the opening address at a seminar entitled “The future of shipping: London’s Equity markets as a source for growth and access to capital” organised by The London Stock Exchange and lawyers Norton Rose Fulbright in partnership with the British Embassy – UK Trade and Investment which is being held at Metropolitan Expo, Seminar Room 3 from 13;30 to 15:15 on Tuesday 7 June.

Source: seatrade-maritime.com