GA appointed to significant marine development project
Multi-sector law firm GA Solicitors has been appointed to offer legal support for a significant marine development project headed up by the sector specialist Frontier Technical.
The role of the law firm will be to provide expertise to help develop an R&D collaboration agreement for a multi-party Innovate UK project with a floating energy platform test in Plymouth planned for Summer 2021.
Having recently moved to Plymouth Science Park, Frontier Technical has developed a controllable and easily transportable, float module system to support the construction of offshore projects such as wind turbines, making them easier, safer and more cost effective to build.
Key stakeholders in the project will include the naval marine business and logistics experts IWH Group, Sharrah Systems from the submarine tech sector, the Marine Business Technology Centre (MBTC), a partnership led by Plymouth City Council and of course the ERDF who have part funded the project.
Trevor Hardcastle, Managing Director at Frontier Technical, said: “We moved the business to Plymouth at the end of 2019 to help us access the region’s expertise in underwater technology and the autonomous control of underwater vehicles. Four months later, we are already seeing benefits far greater than we could have hoped for.
“The South West boasts excellent skills sets from the University of Plymouth and Exeter University as well as highly skilled naval architects, Artificial Intelligence ‘AI’ developers, computer scientists, subsea control and navigation system experts. The region is an exciting place to be innovating in the technology and marine sector.
“The Marine Business Technology Centre funding is so important for the SME at this development stage. It is a fantastic boost which will enable us to access and benefit from specialist consultancy support which would not otherwise have been possible. We are looking forward to doing more work with The Marine Business Technology Centre, as well as other academic and specialist institutions in the region.”
Commenting on the project, GA Solicitors Partner, James Peterson said: “We’re delighted to be involved at an early stage in this exciting venture which could significantly enhance Plymouth’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the marine sector. We look forward to supporting Trevor and his team on developing such a revolutionary design.”
Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “The MBTC provides a gateway for local marine businesses to access comprehensive research and development support as well as cutting-edge facilities and expertise, all free of charge. Our aim is to help business get ahead, just as we’re doing here with the support being given to Frontier Technical to aid the production of these innovative marine solutions.”
Fay Davies, Business Development Manager at Plymouth Science Park, said: “We are delighted to hear that Frontier Technical Ltd has been awarded this funding since moving to the region. The vast network of marine specialists, engineering experts and talented graduates here in Plymouth is helping them to commercialise this innovative technology.
“The ‘Blue Economy’ is a key engine behind the success of the tech sector in the South West, and we look forward to supporting Frontier Technical Ltd as they continue to grow, recruit and innovate in this area from their headquarters at Plymouth Science Park.”
ENDS
GA Solicitors can trace its roots back more than 200 years and has been steadfastly helping the people and business in Plymouth and the South West for its duration. Originally based in Devonport, the firm gets its initials from Thomas Husband Gill who joined the practice in 1875 and later went into partnership with Albert E. Akaster.
Now one of the region’s leading law firms, the 79-strong team at the Lexcel-accredited LLP, conveniently accessible at their Plymouth city centre office, is structured around seven practice areas, each comprising its own specialist department:
For more information visit: www.GAsolicitors.com