Chris Shirling-Rooke has taken the helm as the new CEO for Mersey Maritime following the retirement of his predecessor, Jim Teasdale.
Shirling-Rooke, who joined Mersey Maritime as Commercial Director in 2013, took on the role of acting CEO 12 months ago.
During that time, he has been instrumental in forming strategic partnerships with key Mersey Maritime members including Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Dong Energy, the Peel Group and Seatruck to forge closer links with the education sector and maritime businesses in the Liverpool City Region, the company said.
According to Mersey Maritime, the success of these ventures has culminated in a recent major announcement that the disused Grade II-listed Hydraulic Tower in Wirral’s docklands is to be transformed into a $46.3m ‘Maritime Knowledge Hub’, for advanced manufacturing and engineering skills, and business support.
The center aims to provide the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs to support the Northern Powerhouse agenda as well as new and niche activities that can bring together business and academia to bridge that gap, providing local firms and wider industry with the skilled staff they need to grow and compete.