Develop Consulting becomes newest member of Society of Maritime Industries
The Society of Maritime Industries has admitted Develop Consulting as a member. The firm will work to drive excellence across the UK’s maritime sector.
Develop Consulting is an advisory firm focusing on applying lean principles, primarily in the manufacturing and healthcare spaces. For example, Develop Consulting’s partnership with NHS England on "Transforming General Practice: Time, Access and Care" has supported over 1,000 practices through more than 15,000 improvement sessions across 40+ Integrated Care Boards over five years.
But the firm also works applies these principles for clients who are among the world’s leading organisations across rail, aerospace, automotive and maritime. As specialists in low-volume, high-value manufacturing and maintenance, Develop Consulting is applying its experience supporting major rail programmes, aerospace operations, automotive manufacturers and vessel refit projects, adopting a practical, hands-on approach to delivering sustainable improvements in complex operational environments.
After meetings between Develop Consulting’s maritime director Darren Jones and Tom Chant, CEO of the Society of Maritime Industries, this expertise has seen the firm admitted to the industry representative body.
Jones said, “Joining SMI is an exciting step for us. We specialise in low-volume, high-value manufacturing and maintenance, working with some of the biggest names globally across rail, supercars and aerospace. The UK maritime sector has tremendous potential, and we’re bringing this proven expertise to support its growth. Our hands-on approach to Lean transformation has delivered significant results on major projects across these sectors, and we look forward to bringing this expertise to benefit the wider SMI community.”
Founded in 1966, the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) is the voice of the UK’s maritime engineering and business sector promoting and supporting companies which design, build, refit and modernise ships, and supply equipment and services for all types of commercial and naval ships, ports and terminals infrastructure. Develop Consulting’s arrival strengthens the organisation, with the addition of a member focused on driving growth and operational excellence across the UK’s maritime sector.
Chant explained, “We’re pleased to welcome Develop Consulting to SMI. Their experience in Lean manufacturing and operational improvement is directly relevant to the challenges the UK maritime sector is working through. Members like Develop Consulting bring valuable cross‑sector insight that strengthens the wider community and supports improved productivity, competitiveness and long‑term growth for industry.”
