Introducing the Solent MEZ – Connect. Collaborate. Deliver.

The Solent Maritime Enterprise Zone (Solent MEZ), established December 2019, is an umbrella organisation comprising a consortium of the Royal Navy, industry (including small and medium sized enterprises), government and academia working collaboratively in creating a centre of excellence for maritime research, innovation, education, skills and training. The Solent MEZ consortium connects networks regionally and nationally, collaborates on key maritime initiatives to support the maritime sector in its broadest sense. Through an enterprise approach it partners with other regions, maritime clusters and cross-sectors to benefit maritime businesses and institutions. With the mantra ‘Connect. Collaborate. Deliver.’, the Solent MEZ optimises the enterprise approach to tackle key maritime issues.  The Solent MEZ’s ‘Connected and Autonomous Maritime’ initiative is capitalising on this and has enabled cross-sector, cross-region collaboration supported by the Catapult network.  This initiative will benefit from the Solent’s strengths in marine autonomy, robotics, innovative engineering solutions, advanced manufacturing and smart port initiatives.

The Solent MEZ team is growing and currently includes Captain Allan Youp Royal Navy (Head of the Solent MEZ and responsible for the strategic engagement and operations), Jordan Thomas (Business Manager and business development lead for the innovation, technology & research space) and Andy Stewart (secondee from BAE Systems and is the skills, careers & apprenticeship lead). The team will drive forward an enterprise approach to the prosperity and growth agenda across the region and beyond.

Jordan, who recently joined from L3Harris, says “The Solent has an ecosystem of ground-breaking maritime technological companies due to the world leading scientists, engineers, manufacturing, innovators and regulators conveniently located here. Opportunities to connect with different organisations and industries, collaborate on exciting and innovative projects whilst delivering socio-economic benefits, presents an exciting challenge. Working with highly skilled marine professionals, positive disruptive technology and cutting-edge capabilities, there are a plethora of opportunities available that the Solent MEZ consortium can pursue and tackle as part of the Maritime 2050 strategy and more.”

If you would like to learn more, please feel free to contact the team regarding your area of interest. Contact e-mails are provided below: