Global marine group signs ‘significant’ agreement with Deloitte

The global industry consulting group Global Marine Business Advisors (GMBA) has signed an agreement with professional services firm Deloitte Italy.

GMBA says the ‘significant’ agreement has been under discussion ‘for some time’ and will focus on leveraging the two organisations’ mutual experience, skills, expertise and contacts within the global maritime industry.

Deloitte, which has a network of entities in more than 150 countries, provides professional services, including audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, and tax and legal services to public and private sector clients in a variety of industries.

The Italian marine industry is a leading international player, with the most orders of superyachts (boats over 24 metres long) globally. This sector is an important part of the national economy, generating work for many companies that work alongside shipyards, offering them activities and ancillary services. The sector’s overall turnover is reported to have risen from €4.6 billion in 2020 to €6.1bn in 2021, with exports reaching an all-time high.

Jouko Huju, one of the founding members of GMBA, says: “Working together with an organisation like Deloitte Italy opens new areas of services we can provide to the boating and marine industries around the world.”

GMBA was founded in 2019 and now has 19 members in 18 countries worldwide.

“The [members of GMBA] around the world on all continents, will provide Deloitte Italy with a unique insight into local industries, markets, and companies,” says Huju. “The agreement will enable multinational projects on a whole new scale. With better access to information and knowledge around the world, the agreement will also improve GMBA’s services to the SME’s, especially in their search for new export markets.”

Tommaso Nastasi, partner of Deloitte Italy and value creation service leader, adds: “We are thrilled to partner with GMBA in our shared mission to support the development of the boating and marine industry. This collaboration represents a remarkable synergy between two industry leaders, and we are excited about the opportunities it will bring. Our experience and network, along with GMBA’s knowledge of the industry, will allow us to help companies of all sizes to face the current industry shift and face future challenges.”

Veda Pretorius, the newly elected chairperson of GMBA, sees this development as another positive move by GMBA to be able to offer the best possible cooperation with one of the world’s leading consultancy groups.

“This relationship is important for GMBA and is one we have put considerable effort into developing and finalising. It is another step in the continuing progress of our group.”

The Global Marine Business Advisor group (GMBA) has grown over the past three years, with a focus being on working with businesses that wish to expand their export markets.

The recent GMBA conference held in Petersfield in the United Kingdom discussed key issues affecting the industry, environmental and sustainability issues, developing technologies, the position of boat shows post covid, and the current economic climate affecting the marine industry.