Colin Kershaw, Managing Partner, spoke at Mersey Maritime in August as part of their monthly networking event Face 2 Face. He shared with the audience the journey of Brookes Bell so far and gave a light hearted view of the trials and tribulations when things go wrong in the marine and energy world. He highlighted the growth in numbers of people, geographic footprint and wide diversity of skills now offered by the Brookes Bell Group to the maritime world; all factors which contributed to Brookes Bell winning the Mersey Maritime Award for Global Reach 2015 and SME Business of the Year 2016.

Amidst all the fantastic commercial developments in the Liverpool City Region in recent years, Martins Building on Water Street is being redeveloped into a 5-star hotel, with all tenants having to vacate into new office locations in and around the city centre.

Brookes Bell Group had been tenants for nearly 20 years and they then had the task of finding a space that would accommodate its growing business, ensuring it had enough floor space to continue to grow, while also making the move as seamless as possible for its people. The business has been in Liverpool since 1903 and back in 2010 employed 40 people in their offices in Liverpool and London. The last six years has seen growth, diversity and expansion in to Asia. Now in 2016 the business had to relocate the head office, a globally operating business, employing more than a 120 staff worldwide, a move that would require some serious project management.

After numerous visits to offices in the city, Brookes Bell has now moved a stone’s throw from Water Street, into Exchange Flags, taking up the entire 9th floor of Walker House. A move that sees an increase in office floor space from 7000 to 11,500 sqft. The views from all around the office take in the waterfront, as far as the New Brighton lighthouse and Crosby, the Liverpool Town Hall and as far as the Anglican Cathedral. An impressive collection to be shown off to clients, visitors, and employees not based in Liverpool.

Brookes Bell hosted their annual summer seminar at the prestigious Trinity House in London on the 22nd June. With over 150 people attending the seminars and drinks reception the evening was a huge success and one that will continue to be repeated for those in the industry. The evening began with a set of presentations given by our specialists, on the subjects - Cargo Stowage & Claims, Crane Failures, Bulk Foods & Feeds, Petroleum & Petrochemicals and Container Losses. The guests were then invited to a reception to continue networking and questioning those that gave the presentations earlier in the evening.

Trinity House itself is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community, an organisation that Brookes Bell is proud to support. Thanks go to all of the staff involved in co-ordinating the event from the business and Trinity House, the event was a resounding success.

As a founding member of the Propeller Club in Liverpool Brookes Bell Group was delighted to sponsor a drinks reception in association with the International Festival for Business on the 16th June.

This event took place at the independent café Cheese & Co, located in Derby Square, at the heart of Liverpool City Centre. The event saw a range of marine professionals in attendance, with a lot of very productive networking taking place, giving the Brookes Bell team a chance to meet with Propeller Club members from across the UK. Guests in attendance came from as far as Humberside, London and Guernsey. With a range of cheeses and wines available for guests and with a great atmosphere in the café everyone had a very enjoyable evening, with lots of business being discussed and contacts being made during the international festival.