Marketing firm with offices in Merseyside and Manchester, has appointed Chen Li Ming to represent its maritime interests in China

Marketing firm Polaris Media has appointed a representative in Shanghai to support its interests in the Chinese maritime sector.

Polaris managing director Ben Pinnington said the company, which has offices in Merseyside and Manchester, has appointed Chen Li Ming to help give its Chinese maritime clients on the ground support as well as greater cultural understanding.

Chen has worked in the Chinese maritime and shipbuilding industry for 20 years and is a naval architect by profession. Ben said: “Polaris has identified China as a key growth market as the world’s biggest maritime nation.

“We saw the scale of the Chinese maritime industry when we promoted the UK pavilion at the Marintec maritime trade fair in Shanghai in December with the Society of Maritime Industries.

“And we are now working with Chinese clients and we felt we needed more in-country expertise. Moreover, our UK and overseas clients have also requested more help with creating awareness and opportunities in China. We’ve worked with Chen for some time, through the SMI, and we are pleased to welcome him to our team.”

Earlier this year Polaris won the Maritime Professional Services Business of the Year Award at the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards following a judging panel process and public vote.

Polaris was founded in 2011 and operates mainly in the maritime, engineering, manufacturing, energy and construction industries. Maritime has become its biggest sector with clients across the UK while exports markets include China, India, Oman and Poland.