Marine services company Red7Marine has marked the opening of its new Ipswich-based head office as it aims to continue its growth.

East Anglian Daily Times: Staff and guests at the Red7Marine new head office at Fox's Marina, IpswichStaff and guests at the Red7Marine new head office at Fox's Marina, Ipswich (Image: Daniel Jones)

The move is the result of continued growth for the company, whose turnover rose from £7m in 2016 to £16m in 2017.

The new head office is at Harbour Landing, Fox’s Marina, alongside the River Orwell, and only a short distance away from Red7Marine’s operational base at Cliff Quay in the Port of Ipswich.

Red7Marine specialises in renewables and energy, marine construction, marine recruitment, marine access solutions and marine consultancy services.

Chief executive Nick Offord welcomed industry guests, including long-standing clients and supporters of the business, strategic partners and staff to the opening. The company was founded 20 years ago, originally based at Wrabness near Manningtree, by the River Stour.

Now with the move to Fox’s Marina by the Orwell, Wrabness was likely to become a training academy for the business, said Mr Offord.

“We promote local people, and local jobs,” he said.

“We hope this move will be successful for the business. It is creating huge opportunities for people too.

“We are very proud of the people we have developed and the youngsters who have careers for life and specialised skills.

“We have had a good couple of years, which has meant pay rises. The market has been through some very difficult times previously.”

Red7Marine had clients going back many years, he said, include Harwich International Port and ABP at Ipswich, and BAM.

The company is aiming to develop its niche offering engineering support services for major marine projects around the country.

The company vision was to continue to grow, both in terms of turnover, the range of work, and staff numbers, added Mr Offord.

“Last year we did £16m, and we aim to get to £23m this year, and to be up to £27m the year after,” he said.

One key element was to develop within the renewables and energy sector, offering services and jack-up barges, for projects such as servicing and maintenance for offshore wind farms. The company already has specialist barges working around the UK, from ports such as Liverpool, Harwich and Ipswich to projects within the River Thames.

The company has 16 jack-up barges on projects currently, including 12 owned by the company.