AN ORGANISATION which promotes growth in the marine section in Hampshire has a new leader.

The Solent LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) has appointed Ian Millen, chief operating officer for Dryad Maritime Ltd, as chairman of its Solent Marine and Maritime Steering Group (SMMSG).

The group was launched in April 2014, since when it has seen a number of major investments in the region, including the opening of the new Land Rover BAR headquarters in Portsmouth and three new skills centres, delivering the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills that will support the future of the industry.

Earlier this year it launched a £250,000 Marine and Maritime SME Growth Fund in partnership with British Marine.

The group advises the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board on the needs of the sector and is made up of representatives from marine and maritime businesses, higher and further education, local government, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), and the Ministry of Defence.

A former Royal Navy commander, Ian followed his 30 years' service with four years with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), before joining Dryad, a firm which in 2011 as its director of intelligence.

Dryad, based in Portsmouth and Hastings, provides products and services to counter all forms of maritime risk, ranging from piracy to bad weather.

The 55-year-old has lived in the Solent area since joining his first Portsmouth-based ship in 1978.

He is also chairs the Security in Complex Environments Group (SCEG) Maritime Security Working Group (MSWG), which promotes quality and standards in the security sector, and is president of the London Chapter of the Propeller Club, a not-for-profit organisation that champions the wellbeing of all waterborne trades and those that work within them.

Ian said: “Since its inception the group has worked hard to deliver a number of objectives in the sector. However, there is plenty left to do, both with ongoing work and doubtless, plenty that we haven’t yet discovered.”

One issue are which he has identified for his to-do list is the ongoing skills shortage.

“Skills are the absolute foundation of business growth,” he said.

He said there was an ageing workforce in the marine and maritime sectors, especially in management, and the sector needed to attract more young people.

Ian takes over from Brian Johnson, who said: “I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the SMMSG and Ian in his role of chair, knowing there is still great scope to build on the group’s success with initiatives to develop the marine and maritime sector and the Solent’s economic future.”

To find out more about the Solent LEP and the Marine and Maritime SME Growth Fund visit solentlep.org.uk.