Marine expertise at hand for Swansea companies

Marine industry experts have joined forces with Swansea Council to help local companies navigate the stormy seas of these difficult economic times.

The Bridge Marine Science Group has now set up base at Business Centre Swansea in St Mary's Square and is looking to offer help to hundreds of companies working in the marine sector over the coming months and years.

Their assistance will include guidance for small and medium sized marine businesses, help with applying for funds and the organisation of regular networking events.

The Bridge Marine Science Group is an independent not-for-profit marine cluster that's supported by the European Regional Development Fund with over 200 members at present.

Their mission is to show marine industry companies the benefits of clustering and working together and to help small and medium sized businesses become high value companies.

The new office in Swansea will also look to open up greater opportunities for graduates within the marine sector by providing services such as CV writing, worldwide job updates and work placements.

Experts from the Bridge Marine Science Group helped secure thousands of pounds of business for marine industry companies in North Wales and they're now looking to put marine science expertise in South Wales on the map.

Over 85 Swansea-based marine sector companies have already been identified where the group can provide direct business benefit.

Jason Priest, Business Development Manager for the Bridge Marine Science Group, said: "Our initial study into the size and complexity of the South Wales marine cluster shows that we're well-placed to give real business benefit at a time when many organisations are struggling.

"It's important that Swansea becomes recognised as a powerful cluster group with a comprehensive skill set in marine sciences that offers dynamic solutions to the world."

Cllr Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Economic and Strategic Development, said: "Within the Swansea 2020 Strategy that's been produced to guide the economic regeneration of Swansea we have identified a number of aims- one of which is to develop an internationally competitive economy.

"We have also identified the marine sector as one of our key sectors to encourage growth and clustering and the expertise and assistance of the Bridge Marine Science Group is a real boost in the pursuit of this objective.

"The services available to marine science students will also help fuel the knowledge economy and help to keep talented professionals in the Swansea area once they graduate."

The Bridge Marine Science Group is holding its first networking event for marine sector businesses in the Swansea area on November 4.

Over 40 firms have already confirmed their attendance and other similar events will be held in future.

Contact the Bridge Marine Science Group for more information on info@bridgemarinescience.co.uk or call 01792 545080.