TO LONDON, where Last Word kept its head down on Thursday evening at the annual reception of the Maritime & Shipping Practice of headhunters Odgers Berndtson.

Many attendees shared a grumble at the recent glorious heat in London, but were rather more upbeat about the UK maritime industry and its approaching challenges.

Maritime UK and Carnival UK chair David Dingle delivered a detailed speech covering training and recruitment, industry visibility and the UK’s future after Brexit.

Mr Dingle acknowledged the difficult situation facing the government since the UK general election result and growing uncertainty over the type of Brexit the country faces, but put his faith in the UK maritime sector’s resolve to get on with the task at hand.

And there were plenty of people in the crowd with the power to get things done, the plans for which were discussed in welcome fresh air up on the roof.