A high-powered delegation from the Wirral Chamber of Commerce has vowed to maintain close ties with industry leaders in the island.

The group, which included a senior director from a world-leading manufacturing business, jetted in from Liverpool for the first in a series of six special forums with the island’s chamber of commerce.

Wirral Chamber of Commerce is the UK’s fastest growing chamber and plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of the economy in Wirral and the north west of England.

Dave Williams, business development director at Cammel Laird, told Business News he was keen to develop links with the island.

Speaking from the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre in Hills Meadow, Douglas, Mr Williams said he wanted to see what ’links and synergies or collaboration’ could be forged between the Isle of Man Chamber and the Wirral Chamber.

’So really it is a first stage fact-finding mission for myself.

’ Wirral and the Isle of Man have existing links obviously. My own company, Cammell Laird and the Isle of Man have links from a manufacturing forum perspective.

’This is the first time I’ve been here personally and therefore have been quite excited at the prospect of a tour of the training facility [here].

’I am an apprentice ambassador, very heavily involved with training and I’m always very keen to see what other people are developing and what they are hoping to deliver in the way of skills for their future workforce.

’Equally it is to understand some of the challenges and the opportunities that Isle of Man businesses have and [from coming here today] it is very clear that those challenges are pretty much akin to the challenges that we have over on the mainland.’ Mr Williams, who is also chairman of Wirral Chamber’s manufacturing forum, added: ’It is interesting to know that we see the world in the same way.’

Mr Williams stressed there ’are always possibilities’ for the future relationship with the island. ’The difficulty is identifying the possibilities and getting the like-minded and empowered people together to actually achieve the opportunities that they wish.’

Mr Williams said he could see there was a very strong aerospace industry in the island along with precision engineering skills.

He also acknowledged ’supply chain opportunities for supply into larger companies, for companies based here in the Isle of Man over to the Wirral and the wider Liverpool city region to the Isle of Man.’

Cammell Laird employs 1,000 people but with the specialist supply chain of sub-contractors there were over 1,500 people involved.

The business is a cutting-edge engineering services specialist and its highly skilled workforce and world class facilities are used tosupport a broad range of sectors and projects.

Mr Williams said it was good news the island was looking outwards to its neighbours across the water.

’In today’s global world everybody must look outwards.

’I personally believe you must always address the markets on your own doorstep and I would state [with] the Isle of Man, the Wirral and Liverpool city region, we are directly linked. We are on each other’s doorsteps so we should look for opportunities that can be served from within our own capabilities and capacities.’

Patsy Crocker, the Wirral Chamber’s executive director said the day had been going well.

She said she was working closely with the island chamber’s chief operating officer Rebecca George and president Chris Allen.

Mr Allen said: ’Our aim is to strengthen Chamber, and the collective voice we provide for businesses in all sectors of the economy.

’We will also be looking at how we can further develop our relationship with Wirral Chamber of Commerce, and exploring ways in which we can work together to achieve common goals that are shared by many companies in the Isle of Man, Wirral and the north west of England.’

The engineering and manufacturing forum began with an introductory speech by Dave Hester, managing director of Swagelok Limited, and chairman of Isle of Man Chamber’s Engineering and Manufacturing Committee.

Among the contributions that followed was one from ACE (Awareness in Careers in Engineering) Steering Group members. Also speaking was Adrian Moore, development manager for manufacturing, space and inward investment at Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise.

Cammell Laird’s Dave Williams also made a presentation.

Chris Allen added: ’We were very pleased with the response to the first forum, and thank everyone who attended - especially members of Wirral Chamber who flew over especially for this event.

’It was a great start to this new initiative, and we aim to build on this success in the coming months with the Energy and Environment forum being the next forum to take place on March 20.’

Paula Basnett, chief executive officer of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, said: ’This was an excellent beginning to what we see as building a strong, long term relationship with the island.

’The forum was very productive and already key links and contacts have been formed which will bring benefits for both Wirral and the Isle of Man.

’Over the coming months, in partnership with the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, a number of forum meetings are planned so both Manx and Wirral based businesses and organisations will have the opportunity to discuss and action ways in which, jointly, we can work together.’

Back row, left to right, Dave Williams, business development director at Cammell Laird and chairman of Wirral Chamber Manufacturing Forum; Sara Davies, business engagement and sector lead, Wirral Chamber of Commerce. Mark Sutherberry, Manufacturing Technology Centre and vice chairman, Wirral Chamber Manufacturing Forum; Dave Hester, managing director, Swagelok Limited, and chairman of Isle of Man Chamber’s Engineering and Manufacturing committee; Adrian Moore, development manager for manufacturing, space and inward investment at Isle of Man Government’s Department for Enterprise; and Lorna Trevethan, general manager, employed.im at PDMS and a member of the ACE Steering Group. Front, left to right, David Henger, business development manager, Wirral Chamber; Patsy Crocker, executive director, Wirral Chamber and Rebecca George, chief operating officer, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce