Maritime Council
The Maritime Council is a forum to drive collaboration between government and the maritime sector to meet future challenges and opportunities.
The UK’s world-class maritime sector underpins almost every other industry in the UK and has played a critical role for centuries in the growth and development of the UK as a primary facilitator of global trade.
In January 2019, government published the Maritime 2050 strategy. Developed by government and industry, Maritime 2050 is the ambitious joint vision for the sector, setting out how the UK will continue to be a world-leading maritime nation by meeting the challenges and opportunities of the future.
The strategy concentrated on 185 recommendations across 7 themes:
- competitive advantage
- people
- infrastructure
- trade
- technology
- environment
- security and resilience
Since 2019, several route maps have been published, each focusing on a specific theme and providing tangible actions and outcomes.
The Maritime Council has been established to provide the top level of governance across all themes and drive delivery of the Maritime 2050 recommendations.
Membership
The membership is:
- Maritime Minister, Chair
- Robin Mortimer, Co-Chair (Chair, Maritime UK and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Port of London Authority)
- Rannia Leontaridi Order of the British Empire (OBE), Director General, Aviation, Maritime and Security, DfT
- Lola Fadina, Director of Maritime, DfT
- Secretariat, Strategy and Programmes Team, DfT
- Vacant, CEO, Marine Management Organisation, DEFRA
- Rear Admiral Rex Cox, CEO, National Shipbuilding Office, MoD
- Virginia McVea, CEO, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, DfT
- Harry Theochari, OBE, Norton Rose Fulbright and Chair of Maritime London
- Henrik L Pederson, CEO, Forth Ports Group and Chair of UK Major Ports Group
- Mike Sellers, Chair, British Ports Association
- Vacant, UK Chamber of Shipping
- Tom Chant Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), CEO, Society of Maritime Industries
- Mark Jackson, CEO, Baltic Exchange
- Kerrie Forster, CEO, Workboat Association
- Andy Harmer OBE, Doctor of Medicine (MD) UK and Ireland, Cruise Lines International Association
- Paul Gullet, President, British Marine
- David Tyler, Chair, Maritime UK Regional Council
- Oliver Plunkett, CEO, Ocean Infinity
- Nigel Quinn, CEO, Bibby Marine
- Iain Percy OBE, CEO, Artemis Technologies
- Professor Grammenos CBE, Bayes Business School
- Mark Dickinson, General Secretary, Nautilus
- Captain Paul Brooks, President, UK Harbour Masters’ Association
- Debbie Cavaldoro, CEO, Port Skills and Safety
- Lucy Armstrong, Chair, Port of Tyne
- Sarah Kenny OBE, CEO, British Maritime Technology
Meeting minutes
If you would like a copy of the meeting minutes, email MaritimeCouncil@dft.gov.uk.
Terms of reference
Function of the Maritime Council
The Maritime Council will provide a delivery-focused forum for implementation of the recommendations in the Maritime 2050 strategy.
It will monitor government and industry progress in delivering Maritime 2050 and decide, when necessary, the setting up of task and finish groups to accelerate progress.
It will provide leadership, agreeing the joint strategic focus for government and industry, ensuring that this supports delivery of Maritime 2050 and government’s wider strategic aims.
It will also publish a joint government/industry annual progress report during London International Shipping Week (LISW) or in autumn on non-LISW years.
Scope and authority
The Maritime Council’s scope is to support the delivery of the recommendations and policy intention published in the Maritime 2050 strategy.
The Council will be a delivery forum and has not been designed as a lobbying forum for individual members’ interests.
Group membership
The Council has a select membership, representing a wide range of views, experience and perspectives across government and industry. Membership will be kept under review.
The Department for Transport (DfT) Minister for Maritime will hold the position of Chair of the Maritime Council. The Chair of Maritime UK will be Co-Chair of the Council.
Membership is decided based on position held rather than the individual currently in post.
Associate members will be invited to attend on an ad-hoc basis as relevant to the agenda of a meeting. They are not permanent members of the Council but may be given voting powers for the meetings they attend and held accountable for the actions agreed in those meetings.
Meeting arrangements
Conduct
Attendees: all members are expected to attend meetings. Additional invitations will be issued and delegations agreed at the discretion of the Maritime Council Secretariat in advance of the meeting.
Discussion forum: the Maritime Minister will chair the meetings. Members will be tasked with presenting agenda items.
Confidentiality: all items discussed at Council meetings are confidential to the members until the minutes of the meeting are approved, unless otherwise clearly stated in the meeting. Meeting minutes will be made publicly available on request at MaritimeCouncil@dft.gov.uk.
Frequency
The Maritime Council will meet quarterly. The length of meetings will be determined by the agenda but will generally not exceed 2 hours.
In the event of exceptional circumstances, the Chair may suggest additional meetings of the Council.
Meetings will be hybrid (in person and via video calls) although in-person attendance is encouraged when possible.
Agenda
The agenda is prepared by the Secretariat as agreed by the DfT Maritime Minister as Chair.
Any items submitted by other members for consideration must be sent to the Chair and Secretariat 2 weeks prior to the Council meeting to ensure inclusion in the agenda.
Secretariat
The Council will be supported by a secretariat from the Maritime Directorate at DfT. The Secretariat will be responsible for:
- scheduling meetings
- preparing the agenda
- circulating papers by email in advance of the meeting
- drafting and circulating minutes no more than 2 weeks after a meeting
Key interfaces
The Council will have the remit to establish task and finish/working groups to address specific areas in the Maritime 2050 strategy. The Council membership will appoint a Chair for the group and agree on the terms of reference, with all decisions to be agreed by the Chair.
Working group members do not need to be members of the Council, as the purpose of these groups is to bring in a range of views and expertise on specific issues.
Working groups will report back to the Council on progress and developments, including highlighting any issues that arise.
Diversity and inclusion
Membership of the Council will be in line with the diversity and inclusion principles in place at DfT and will endeavour to:
- create an inclusive culture
- increase the representation of underrepresented people to better reflect the people we serve
- attract recognise and nurture diverse talent
- ensure everyone understands the importance of diversity and inclusion and how we all play a part in making it happen