A&P Launches Defence Division.

Global ship repair, conversion and marine specialist A&P Group has announced the launch of a Group defence division to further strengthen its ongoing relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Headquartered at A&P Falmouth, the new division will be led by Gerald Pitts, who now takes the role of Managing Director of A&P Group Defence. Gerald is responsible for the current Cluster Support and MARS UKCATTS contracts, the ongoing support to BAE Systems Hydrographic and Offshore Patrol Vessels and the pursuit of contracts such the Type 31e frigates and Type 45 destroyers, amongst others.

Steve Jones has now been appointed Managing Director of Operations and Site Director at A&P Falmouth. Steve will be responsible for all operational projects and site-specific issues in Falmouth.

David McGinley, Group Managing Director of A&P Group said: “Both appointments and the creation of a group-wide defence division demonstrate a significant step change in the way we will deliver both future MoD opportunities and our commercial activities within the ship repair, refit and energy markets.

“Given the number of future MoD programmes we hope to be involved in, it seemed a very natural decision to have one specialist division dedicated to this part of the business. This will be a considerable task and we’re pleased that we can call upon Gerald’s depth of experience and strong client relationships to lead this team.

“Steve takes on a critical role heading up our Falmouth business and he will be instrumental in continuing our efforts to develop A&P Falmouth as a centre of excellence for both commercial and Ministry of Defence work.”

A&P Group has the MoD contract to customise and fit out all four of the RFA’s new fleet Tide class tankers and co-ordinate full military Capability Assessment Trials to prepare the ships for operational service, as well as a Fleet Time Support contract to the vessels both in the UK and overseas until 2018. Under the MoD’s RFA Through Life Support Contracts, A&P Group provides Maintenance and Fleet Time Support to the high profile MoD vessels including RFA Argus and the LSDA Class vessels Mounts Bay, Cardigan Bay and Lyme Bay.