Brittany Ferries, one of the Devon Chamber of Commerce’s most well-respected members and collaborators, has become our newest Patron.
The Patronage was officially unveiled during our September City Conversations event at Foot Anstey In Plymouth, where Sarah Jarvis, Finance Manager, and Paul Acheson, Director of Sales, were in attendance for the exciting announcement.
For more than 50 years, Brittany Ferries has been uniting the countries of the Atlantic Arc in trade and travel, revealing fabulous holiday destinations and the rich experience of travelling by sea.
The company was founded back in 1972 by Alexis Gourvennec and a group of fellow Breton farmers wanting to export their cauliflowers and artichokes to the UK.
From those humble beginnings, it has now cemented itself as the leading ferry operator on the western Channel.
Brittany Ferries’ impact here in the South West cannot be overstated, with its Plymouth port being ideally situated for passengers coming from the West of England and Wales to offer sailings to France and Spain.
In recent years, the firm has expanded its holiday programme, offering packages that combine ferry travel with curated accommodations and activities, catering to a wide range of travellers.
Dolphin sightings have also increased significantly, with passengers being able to enjoy these unique experiences on ferry crossings.
Its Pont-Aven ferry now features a “duck tail”, a modification designed to improve fuel efficiency by reducing water resistance, while two new LNG-powered ships, Salamanca and Santona, have joined the fleet, two further LNG Hybrid vessels Guillaume De Normandie and St Malo join the fleet early 2025 marking a shift towards greener operations and prioritising environmental sustainability.
Paul Acheson, Group Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “Proudly French and fiercely committed to the regions we serve; we have a unique and enduring relationship with Plymouth as it was our first port of call all those years ago in 1973.
“Plymouth and the South West is hugely important to us as we carry a mixture of freight and passengers through the port each year.
“Although we’ve been a member of the Devon Chamber for a number of years, we’re keen to work closer with Stuart, Clare and the team as well as connecting and collaborating with other esteemed members for the greater good of the region.
“Over the coming years we are targeting growth in volume and an expansion of our tour operating model. We see ferry travel as an opportunity for travellers to spend more time in the area they arrive or depart the UK from.
“Using the attractions of the local area is a key motivator to choose the South West either as a stop before heading to France or Spain or a holiday for our French and Spanish customers.”
Patrons of the Chamber are some of the best-known and respected names in the business community. They are woven into the Chamber’s extensive lobbying activities and become one of our region’s principal voices.
Chamber Chief Executive Stuart Elford said: “Brittany Ferries is an internationally renowned company and a hugely successful brand, so we could not be more delighted that they have decided to become a Patron of the Devon Chamber.
“Brittany Ferries continues to play a significant role here in the South West, handling some 400,000 passengers and 150,000 vehicles per year, as well as 80,000 tonnes of cargo, contributing over £95 million to the UK economy.
“Our Patrons play a unique role in developing the future of our region and the Chamber is far stronger with Brittany Ferries’ support and Patronage.”
