IMarEST plans move to new headquarters

Moving with the times is expected of a proactive professional body such as the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) to ensure the very best service for its members and the maritime community. IMarEST is taking the concept literally and plans to move from its current headquarters in Coleman Street in the heart of the City of London to new offices, also in the City, that better suit its requirements for the years ahead.

“We expect to move in late spring 2011 – our new headquarters will be in Aldgate House, at 33 Aldgate High Street,” explains the Institute’s Chief Executive, Dr Marcus Jones. “Although ideal when we moved to it in 1999, our current building is, quite simply, the wrong shape and size for us now, and limits our scope to develop in the future; it also requires major works that would cause unacceptable disruption to our activities and bite into our capital reserves.

“The sale of the Coleman Street and Moorgate properties – they go onto the market today (10 February) – allows us to acquire more suitably sized and structured office and meeting space, bringing greater efficiency and focus to our headquarters operations. The move is a part of our continued effort to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the Institute and a natural part of its evolution.

“Of paramount importance, the sale will also release funds which, when invested, will enable the Institute to deliver even better services to our worldwide membership. We plan to continue to develop in IT systems that will allow effective knowledge management, improved networking among members, and will create new opportunities for IMarEST to extend its services more responsively, wherever those members may be in the world.

“In recent years a number of key forces have affected us, and indeed our members, such as the globalisation of the marine sector, the casualisation of work, the growing need for breadth in professional knowledge and networks and the digital revolution in knowledge management,” Dr Jones explains. “We have responded to those challenges by taking a marine sector-wide perspective, and extending our membership and professional recognition pathways to a wider knowledge discipline base – and are constantly building on these firm foundations.

“We have, in recent times streamlined our UK headquarters and developed the role of our international divisions. Our membership is increasing, and we are enjoying rising to the challenges of the digital age, ensuring that we not only meet – but exceed – the needs of the new generation of professionals who work in marine engineering, science and technology. In doing so, we will most certainly not ignore the needs of our members of all ages, and will retain the services they enjoy and expect from us, including regular meetings, lectures and conferences.”

The IMarEST library and archive is a unique piece of our heritage, and the Institute aim to be able to transfer the bulk of its treasures to a suitable and appropriate new home, where it can remain accessible to all who need it. The headquarters move also provides the Institute with the opportunity to bring its information services fully into the 21st Century. At the same time, as part of the overall IT strategy, the work carried out to date in e-library services are being improved and expanded, including digitising the bulk of the content as time permits, so that a worldwide readership can be served effectively.

“Moving, whether it is moving house or offices, is not something that anyone does light-heartedly, and we will make all efforts to ensure there is no loss of continuity in any of our services to members,” adds Dr Jones. “A special strategy taskforce has been convened, consisting of members of the IMarEST’s Executive and Board of Trustees with input from specialist advisors. Linked committees responsible for the procurement of the new headquarters, sale of the freehold properties, the management of the move itself and communications have been, and still are, hard at work. Together, these groups are responsible for ensuring that the move maintains that all-important continuity of services delivered to our members, and the preservation of the vital relationships the Institute has with its diverse stakeholders.”

Dr Jones wrote a well-received assessment of the needs of members of learned societies in 2025 for the Institute’s membership publication “Marine Professional”, in which he highlighted the needs of modern methods of communications for an industry as globalised as the marine sector …. “the Internet is accessible on-the-go through a whole range of devices, not least smart mobile phones. Mobile browsing is predicted to outpace desktop-based access within three to five years. We can expect this trend to continue to the point where one does not need to connect to the Internet – instead, it is just there. Like electricity, water and other utilities …..”.

“We move on with a little sadness and some nostalgia, but with a firm determination to continue to serve the purposes for which we were founded and the new needs of the 21st Century. The Board and the Executive are convinced that this is rhe right decision and we commend it to you,” says Professor Chris Hodge, Chairman of the Board of Trustees in a letter to IMarEST members.

IMarEST – A brief history
The IMarEST was established in 1889, so is now 121 years old, and is the largest international membership body and learned society for marine professionals with over 15,000 members worldwide.

The atmosphere of the 1880s was one of major developments in engineering science as steam ships rapidly displaced sailing ships and steel overtook iron as shipbuilding’s raw material. For young marine engineers there was little in the way of literature to learn about the innovations, and marine engineers recognised the need to present and discuss ‘practical’ papers written for and by them. The lack of corporate professional status was another key issue of the time. These developments led to the formation of a Marine Engineers Union in 1887.

In 1888 ten members of the Poplar Branch of the Union were expelled for issuing a circular announcing a meeting to discuss the administration of Union funds and three of those expelled then proposed that an association should be set up which would be completely separate from trade unionism. A circular was sent to the Chief Engineers of every steamer in the Port of London in which they were invited to join what was to be called the Institute of Marine Engineers.

The inaugural meeting of the new Institute was held on 12 February 1889 at the Workmen’s Hall in Stratford East London, and the first Council meeting was held four days later at which point the membership numbered just 284.

At that time, the first President was elected – Asplan Beldam, and the first Honorary Secretary – James Adamson, the President expressed the hope that the Institute would become a power, not only in London but throughout the world. Had he been alive today he would not only have great pride in the fact that his confidence was justified, but would have been astonished that the Institute’s growth had probably vastly exceeded all his expectations. From the meetings in the Langthorne Rooms, the Institute moved in 1891 into premises at 58 Romford Road, Stratford which it occupied until the outbreak of the First World War and thereafter to 85-88 Minories at Tower Hill. By then the second Secretary had taken office, Mr B C Curling.

During World War Two the Institute re-housed temporarily in High Wycombe, and returned to the Minories in 1945 to find the building had suffered little structural damage apart from blown out windows; membership at the time numbered some 5,500. The building was renovated and it remained the HQ until the 1950s; by this time Mr Curling had retired and Mr J Stuart Robinson had become Secretary. He oversaw the move to the ultra-modern building in Mark Lane; over 700 people attended the opening of The Memorial Building in 1957.

During the 1950s and 1960s many overseas branches were formed and membership rose to 22,000 but this was long before the international marine industry suffered the massive affects of the oil price hikes and restrained world economies. It was Jolyon Sloggett CBE, only the fourth holder of the position of Secretary, who had to face the challenges of maintaining membership and services in an era of financial austerity, minimum manning, and massive changes in ship operation.

The Institute moved to its current location, 80 Coleman Street in 1999 overseen by the newly appointed fifth Secretary of the Institute, Keith Read CBE. He was the prime mover in broadening the Institute as an international organisation embracing science and technology alongside marine engineering, and promoting the close interactions of marine engineers, scientists and technologists.

In May 2009 Dr Marcus Jones, previously the Chief Operating Office took over as Chief Executive and continues to strengthen the Institute as an internationally renowned learned and professional institute. His remit is to improve the profitability of the Institute so more charitable works can be done and to create strong global networks of Marine Professionals who can deliver the Institute’s Vision “A world where Marine resources and activities are sustained, managed and developed for the benefit of humanity.”