Griffon Marine has announced a significant expansion of its workforce following a series of major contract wins, including its recent success in securing two lots under the Ministry of Defence's Boats In-Service Support (BISS26) programme.

The £283.5 million MOD programme, awarded by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), will maintain and support approximately 3,000 boats across the UK Armed Forces and MOD Police until 2033. Griffon Marine was one of only five companies selected to deliver the vital work, alongside some of the UK's largest defence and maritime contractors.

The contract success has already translated into substantial growth for the Solent-based marine engineering specialist, with employee numbers increasing by 24% (including 11 new apprentices) as the company recruits skilled engineers, technicians, project managers, support staff and entry-level workers to meet rising demand.

The recruitment drive comes at a time when the UK's marine and defence sectors are facing well-documented skills shortages, making the attraction and development of talented personnel a key priority for businesses across the industry.

Mark Downer, Chief Executive Officer of Griffon Marine, said:

"Winning contracts of this scale and significance is a tremendous achievement for everyone at Griffon Marine. The opportunities created by the MOD programme, together with our wider portfolio of commercial and government work, have enabled us to accelerate our recruitment plans and grow our team by 24%."

"My immediate priority is ensuring we continue to source sufficient numbers of skilled workers to strengthen and enhance our existing workforce. We have built an exceptional team over many years, and our focus is on bringing in talented individuals who share our commitment to quality, innovation and delivering outstanding results for our customers."

"The momentum generated by securing contracts such as BISS26 is invaluable. It has given us the confidence to invest in people, facilities and future capabilities while creating long-term career opportunities within the business."

The MOD contract forms part of a wider government commitment to strengthening Britain's defence industrial base and supporting highly skilled jobs throughout the UK. According to DE&S, the BISS26 programme will create and safeguard more than 100 skilled roles nationally while ensuring the operational readiness of critical military and police vessels.

For Griffon Marine, the award represents another milestone in the company's continued growth and reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner to both defence and commercial maritime clients.

Mr Downer added:

"There is a genuine sense of excitement across the business. Everyone at Griffon Marine is highly motivated to build on this success and continue delivering the standards our customers expect. The momentum from winning contracts like these creates opportunities throughout the organisation, and we are determined to keep succeeding, keep growing and keep investing in our people."

As recruitment continues, Griffon Marine is actively seeking skilled professionals across a range of marine engineering, fabrication, electrical, mechanical and project management disciplines, helping to create the next generation of expertise within the UK's maritime sector.