The maritime consultancy sector on Merseyside reached a significant milestone on Thursday, 24 September, as His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh officially inaugurated the new Liverpool headquarters of Brookes Bell. Situated at No. 10 Princes Dock within the dynamic Liverpool Waters development, the state-of-the-art facility represents the latest chapter in a corporate history deeply intertwined with the River Mersey for over 120 years.
During the royal visit, Prince Edward toured the modern workspaces, interacting directly with a multidisciplinary team of international specialists, including Master Mariners, forensic scientists, metallurgical engineers, and experts in advanced materials testing. The high-profile engagement formed a central pillar of a comprehensive two-day royal tour across the Merseyside region, specifically curated to spotlight the enduring vitality, historical depth, and global significance of the local maritime and engineering sectors.
A Royal Welcome at Princes Dock
The royal party arrived at No. 10 Princes Dock to a warm reception, greeted by distinguished regional dignitaries who accompanied the Duke throughout the engagement. Peter Oliver OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Hazel Snell, High Sheriff of Merseyside, and Councillor William Shorthall, Lord Mayor of Liverpool, were present to welcome Prince Edward to the waterfront.
The focal point of the official visit was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the formal opening of the premises. Gathered employees, regional business leaders, and invited guests watched as the Duke unveiled the plaque, cementing the company’s physical commitment to the Liverpool waterfront for generations to come.
Following the formal unveiling, the Duke engaged in extensive discussions with the firm’s technical experts. Prince Edward demonstrated a keen interest in the intricate nature of modern marine consultancy, inquiring about the methodologies used in failure investigations, complex cargo dispute resolutions, and the forensic analysis of maritime casualties. The interactive tour allowed various departments to showcase their capabilities, highlighting how traditional seafaring expertise now intersects with cutting-edge laboratory science and digital forensic technology.
Roots in 1903: A Century of Maritime Evolution
To understand the significance of the Princes Dock opening, one must look back over a century of maritime history. Brookes Bell was originally founded in Liverpool in 1903, an era when the Port of Liverpool stood as one of the preeminent commercial gateways of the British Empire and the global trading network.
Throughout the 20th century, as shipping evolved from coal-fired steamships to modern container vessels and specialized gas carriers, Brookes Bell expanded its technical footprint. The firm developed an international reputation for forensic investigations, offering expert witness testimony in high-stakes admiralty courts, handling major hull and machinery damage claims, and advising shipowners, protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, and underwriters worldwide.
Despite establishing a global presence with offices in key international maritime hubs—including London, Singapore, Shanghai, and Hong Kong—the company has steadfastly maintained its historic operational anchor in Liverpool. The relocation to No. 10 Princes Dock at Liverpool Waters represents a deliberate alignment with modern urban regeneration, placing the firm in a purpose-built, highly sustainable office environment designed to accommodate future growth and technological integration.
Voices from Leadership and Industry
Company executives expressed profound pride in hosting a member of the Royal Family to mark the inauguration of their new home. Anthony York, Chief Operating Officer of Brookes Bell, emphasized the historical continuity of the firm’s presence on Merseyside.
"It is a tremendous honour to welcome His Royal Highness to Liverpool to mark the opening of our new office," Mr. York stated following the royal tour. "Liverpool has been our home for more than 120 years, and as we open our new office at Liverpool Waters, it is exciting to consider the next stage in Brookes Bell’s journey as we continue to support the global maritime industry with technical and scientific consultancy support."
Adrian Scales, Director of Europe and a practicing Master Mariner at the firm, underscored the personal engagement demonstrated by the Duke during his walkabout through the offices.
"It was a genuine privilege to share the breadth of our work with the Duke of Edinburgh," Mr. Scales remarked. "He took a genuine interest in our people and their work, from our Master Mariners to our engineers and scientists. Maritime consultancy often operates behind the scenes in high-pressure environments, so having royal recognition of our team’s dedication is immensely rewarding."
Andrew Yarwood, Business Director at Brookes Bell, pointed out the strategic advantage of the new location within the broader regeneration scheme of the city.
"Our new office location places us right at the heart of the Mersey maritime community," Mr. Yarwood noted. "Liverpool Waters provides an environment that fosters innovation, collaboration, and accessibility, ensuring that our multidisciplinary teams are ideally positioned to serve our clients locally and across the globe."
Broader Implications for the Merseyside Maritime Cluster
The visit by the Duke of Edinburgh carries broader economic and symbolic implications for Liverpool and the wider Liverpool City Region. For decades, traditional heavy industries and port-related services faced structural decline; however, the renaissance of the Liverpool waterfront—typified by the multi-billion-pound Liverpool Waters development by Peel Waters—has transformed the docklands into a modern hub for knowledge-based service sectors, marine engineering, and digital logistics.
By retaining a major global consultancy like Brookes Bell and facilitating its expansion within the local economic zone, Liverpool reinforces its status as a vital global center for maritime business services. While ports are often measured strictly by cargo tonnage and container throughput, the supporting ecosystem of legal, insurance, surveying, and forensic engineering firms contributes significantly to the high-value knowledge economy of the region.
Furthermore, the involvement of senior members of the Royal Family in regional business openings serves to elevate the international profile of British maritime expertise. At a time when global supply chains face increasing geopolitical volatility, regulatory shifts, and technological disruptions—such as the transition toward zero-carbon shipping and alternative marine fuels—independent technical consultancies play an indispensable role in maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and contractual integrity across international waters.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Brookes Bell at Liverpool Waters
As the dust settles on the royal inauguration, the personnel at No. 10 Princes Dock are already looking toward the horizon. The new workspace has been designed to support collaborative problem-solving, bringing together metallurgists, chemists, naval architects, and master mariners under one roof to analyze complex marine accidents and cargo failures.
The firm’s ongoing investment in advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment, digital modeling tools, and continuous professional development ensures that its Liverpool hub will remain at the cutting edge of forensic marine science. As global trade routes adapt to new environmental mandates and technological demands, the requirement for rigorous, independent scientific testimony and engineering analysis will only intensify.
The royal visit of 24 September thus serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a catalyst for future ambition. By connecting a 120-year-old corporate legacy with the modern architectural and technological landscape of Liverpool Waters, Brookes Bell has reaffirmed its commitment to the River Mersey, ensuring that Liverpool remains a preeminent global capital for maritime excellence for decades to come.
