BVT Naval Shipbuilding Stakeholder Relations Case Study

Client: BVT – BAE Vosper Thornycroft
Industry: Defence & Naval Shipbuilding
Services: Stakeholder Relations & Change Management
Programme Environment: Royal Navy / Ministry of Defence

Supporting stronger communication, greater transparency and closer collaboration between BVT, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence.

Following the combination of BAE Fleet Support and VT Shipbuilding, BVT was operating within a highly complex stakeholder environment involving Portsmouth Naval Base, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence. JBA was brought in to strengthen stakeholder relationships, improve visibility across major naval programmes and create a more effective framework for identifying and resolving issues before they affected delivery.

Project Description

Major naval programmes depend on far more than engineering and technical capability. Successful delivery also requires clear communication, trusted relationships and strong alignment between the organisations responsible for delivering and supporting the programme.

Following the formation of BVT through the combination of BAE Fleet Support and VT Shipbuilding, maintaining effective relationships with key Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy stakeholders became increasingly important.

With significant programmes including the Type 45 destroyers, aircraft carrier work and other naval activities, stakeholders needed greater visibility into progress, emerging concerns and future requirements.

JBA supported BVT by helping establish a structured stakeholder-relations approach designed to improve communication, increase confidence and create stronger working relationships between industry and its naval customers.

JBA's Approach

Embedded Stakeholder Leadership

A dedicated Stakeholder Relations Manager was embedded within the Naval Base Commander's office, creating a direct connection between BVT and key Royal Navy stakeholders. This helped improve day-to-day communication while providing a clearer understanding of customer priorities, concerns and future requirements.

A "No Surprises" Approach

JBA helped establish a "No Surprises" model focused on identifying and communicating issues as early as possible. Concerns could be addressed locally where appropriate, while more significant matters could be escalated quickly to senior leadership and board level.

Leadership Engagement & Continuity

Processes were developed to maintain regular engagement between BVT directors and key stakeholders. This helped provide continuity in relationships, capture insight into future requirements and ensure important stakeholder knowledge was not dependent on individual conversations or personalities.

Results & Impact - Stronger Relationships. Better Visibility. Earlier Action.

The stakeholder-relations approach created a more structured and proactive connection between BVT, the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence. It provided stakeholders with greater visibility into BVT’s activities while giving BVT earlier insight into concerns and emerging requirements.

Most importantly, the model created a framework in which potential problems could be surfaced and addressed before they developed into larger issues.