Southampton maritime services key to steering UK through choppy waters, says visiting City of London Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor of the City of London hailed the importance of Southampton as a major part of the UK financial and professional services sector during a visit to the city.
Lord Mayor David Wootton will be using this fact-finding and business visit – the first official one by a Lord Mayor – as an opportunity to meet with leading institutions and individuals in the Southampton maritime services industry, including: Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton Solent Academy, University of Southampton, Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute, and Lloyds Register. He will also have a working lunch with the Mayor of Southampton and leading figures from Southampton City Council.
As the ambassador for UK financial and professional services, the Lord Mayor promotes British business overseas in high growth markets and to key overseas partners. His time in Southampton will help him to make the case for local businesses during his overseas visits over the next 6 months. During this period he will help to strengthen trade and investment ties in Croatia, Slovenia, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Vietnam, India, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s visit, the Lord Mayor commented: “Southampton is a vital gateway into the UK and a major part of the financial and professional services sector due to its position as a leading maritime hub. The skills base established here thanks to top educational and training institutions is integral to the success of the industry.
“The UK maritime services sector directly accounts for 227,000 jobs and contributes £13.1bn to GDP. Southampton is a significant component of this total and that is why we need to work together in partnership to maintain our competitive position, particularly in light of the uncertainty afflicting the global economy at present.”
Southampton Solent University’s Dean of the Faculty of Maritime and Technology, John Millican, said: “Southampton is one of the UK’s leading centres for maritime business and expertise. This visit, promoted by Maritime London of which this University is a member, will help the Lord Mayor to promote the city’s capability during his term of office.”
The visit is being organised on behalf of Maritime London - the promotional body for UK based companies which provide professional services to the international shipping industry.
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/news_2012/lord_mayor_southampton_maritime_services.htm
Links to external websites
The University cannot accept responsibility for external websites.
Notes for editors
Notes to editors
1.About the City of London
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in international finance and business services and provides local services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision (including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to charity annually.
2.About the Lord Mayor of the City of London
The Lord Mayor is head of the Square Mile’s City of London authority for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. It is an exceptionally demanding role. The Lord Mayor spends some 90 days abroad and addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month (making around 800 speeches a year). The Lord Mayor represents City businesses and helps the City Corporation advise the Government of the day on what is needed to help the financial services sector to function well. The Lord Mayor frequently travels to represent the City; and travels overseas with the status of a Cabinet Minister. On average, the Lord Mayor will meet one head of state a month and will meet a prime minister or finance minister each week to discuss financial services, often in conjunction with senior City business representatives. The Lord Mayor, who is unpaid, lives in the Mansion House for the Mayoral year.
3.Media Enquiries
Sanjay Odedra, Senior Press Officer, City of London Corporation
Tel 020 7332 1835 / Mobile 07831 542856
Email sanjay.odedra@cityoflondon.gov.uk