Working in partnership towards greater goals

The overall strategic direction for Marine Research Plymouth Alliance is provided by the Governing Board.

The three organisations formalised the Marine Research Plymouth Alliance, whilst retaining their individual identities, in June 2021 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and establishing a Governing Board to oversee its implementation. The Board members consider the strategic development of marine science, engineering and technology in Plymouth as well as identifying mutual areas of benefit. It oversees, where appropriate, the management of shared laboratories, facilities and equipment among other collaborative initiatives including for example joint appointments.

In its strategic initiatives the partnership is aligned to the United Nations value ‘Leave No One Behind’.

The Governing Board

  • Professor Kevin Jones

    Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, University of Plymouth

    “Through a shared vision we build opportunity and impact in the marine and ocean sciences that are so vital to our planet.”

  • Professor Icarus Allen

    Chief Executive, Plymouth Marine Laboratory

    “A healthy and sustainable ocean can only be achieved if organisations, individuals, industry and policy-makers work together to address the increasing challenges faced by the marine environment.”

  • Professor Willie Wilson

    Chief Executive, Marine Biological Association

    “Working together creates a synergy that allows us to think big, be more competitive and become a powerhouse of ocean science.”

The Executive Group

Responsible for the delivery of the activities as agreed by the Governing Board

  • Professor Tim Smyth

    Director of Science, PML

  • Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

    Director of the Marine Institute, UoP

  • Professor Michael Cunliffe

    Director of Science, MBA

  • Professor James Fishwick

    Head of Marine Technology and Autonomy, PML

  • Dr Liz Atwood

    Earth Observation Senior Scientist, PML

  • Dr Simon Ussher

    Associate Professor of Marine and Analytical Chemistry, UoP

  • Dr Clare Ostle

    CPR Research Fellow, MBA

  • Thecla Keizer MSc

    Deputy Head International Office & International Marketing and Business Development Executive, PML

  • Dan Lear MSc

    Head of Data, Information and Technology, MBA

  • Dave Shuttleworth

    Head of Corporate Communications, UoP