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Exports help Dryad Maritime stay ship-shape with 796% turnover boost


Dryad Maritime Intelligence Service, which helps ships deal with the threat of piracy, has grown from five to 35 staff and increased turnover by 796% to £1.9 million since making contact with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in 2010


The Portsmouth-based risk management company monitors the global threat of maritime crime, particularly across South East Asian and African waters.


Dryad’s suite of intelligence reports and monitoring services helps its clients to make strategic decisions on their operations.


These services advise on where to operate, how to get to destinations safely, when to transition to higher states of alert and when to deploy appropriate security measures to counter emerging threats.


Working with a locally-based international trade adviser for UKTI, it has been able to develop


its export readiness and seize global opportunities.


Karen Murray, director of business administration at Dryad, said: “With help from UKTI we have grown enormously and developed new work across the world. As a small business it’s vital for us to understand the best places to focus our attention and efforts to ensure we are making the most of global opportunities, and UKTI helps us to do this.


“We attended a market visit to China with UKTI and also commissioned research which helped us to understand a great deal about how to operate in the Far East and how to move


Now’s the time to invest


This is the time to invest in Portsmouth, an audience of over 50 business leaders heard at a top London conference held recently.


Developers, investors and property professionals heard speakers including actor Sheila Hancock outline the opportunities now opening up in the city.


The specially-invited guests were gathered at InvestPortsmouth, a networking event organised by Portsmouth City Council and hosted by CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real-estate services and investment firm.


The event, at CBRE’s West End HQ, was held to brief business people on the regeneration happening in the city; forthcoming developments; and opportunities available, particularly potential hotel sites.


Sheila Hancock, a former chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, said: “I’ve seen a lot of places around the world, but I truly believe that Portsmouth is one of the most exciting.


“You only have to look at its amazing new Mary Rose Museum; its proud maritime and naval heritage; its rich literary history; the new investment in the city’s theatres, museums and galleries; the miles of beautiful seafront and the wealth of stunning architecture, period and modern.“


Speakers included David Williams, the council’s chief executive, who said: “The council is an entrepreneurial organisation itself – we run Portsmouth International Port and are leading many of the boldest investment projects in the city, such as a new motorway junction and other transport infrastructure. We welcome business and understand its needs.


“Millions of pounds of investment are being pumped into Portsmouth, with much more to come as the result of our successful City Deal with government.


“We have prime sites available for development; a highly-skilled workforce, who enjoy the lifestyle the city offers; and the right environment for investors.“


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – FEBRUARY 2014


to a new market – which has enabled us to develop new work in Singapore.


“Some of the advice UKTI has given us has also saved us a lot of money and it’s certainly helped us to look at the best use of our time and energy.


“We are now developing new technology which will further help ships move safely.


“While there will always be maritime crime, diversifying and innovating new technologies will help us to continue to develop and grow.“


Chris Uniacke, marine specialist for UKTI in the South East,


Karen Murray


said: “I have worked closely with this fantastic company for a number of years.


Its


ambition is admirable and it is a great example to other small businesses across the region.“


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