Harry Theochari, the well-known partner at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, has succeeded David Dingle as chairman of lobbying group Maritime UK, and in his first comments on taking on the role the lawyer has called on British politicians to push ahead with the Brexit deal secured by prime minister Theresa May.
On the UK’s departure from the EU, scheduled for March 29 next year, Theochari said yesterday: “The uncertainties to which it has given rise have been damaging to the British economy and to British business. Now that we have a withdrawal deal on the table, MPs should give the deal their support so that we can look beyond the Brexit process, and to the future opportunities that wait for our country.”
Theochari will start his new role by co-chairing the maritime ministerial working group today, followed by meetings with other politicians at Westminster, including the shadow transport and Scotland secretaries.
“Never, throughout my career as a shipping lawyer, have I seen so many issues converge on the maritime industries – both at sea and ashore – at the same time. There are many immediate challenges that MUK must tackle for the good of our sector – these include a lack of funding, environmental issues, the advent of disruptive technologies, and the issues surrounding Brexit. These will require a lot of hard work, resilience and innovative thinking to ensure the sector makes the most of emerging opportunities,” Theochari said yesterday.
