BAE Systems has announced a £500,000 sponsorship of the
Riverside Museum in Glasgow, providing a huge boost to the appeal
to raise £5m for the project. As part of the five year deal, BAE
Systems will work closely with the Riverside team to deliver
exhibits and educational activities for schools and young
people. The museum is due to open in 2011.
Apprentices Sarah Park, Scott Ballingall and Ryan Hay from BAE
Systems businesses across Scotland today presented the half-million
pound cheque to Chairman of the Riverside Museum Appeal, Lord Smith
of Kelvin, and Leader of Glasgow City Council, Steven Purcell. The
ceremony took place at the site of the new museum, almost directly
across from BAE Systems largest site in Scotland, the historic
Govan Shipyard that is part of the company's Joint Venture with VT
Group, BVT Surface Fleet.
Commenting on the company's support for the museum, Nigel
Whitehead, BAE Systems Group MD, Programmes and Support and
Chairman of the company's Heritage Committee, said "BAE Systems has
a long and proud heritage in Scotland and today is delivering the
world's most advanced warships from the Clyde.
"The Riverside Museum shares our vision of being proud of our
heritage whilst looking to the future, and we are delighted to be
able to provide this sponsorship that will help to inspire
Scotland's engineers of tomorrow".
The Chairman of the Riverside Museum Appeal, Lord Smith of
Kelvin, said: "This is an outstanding contribution from a company
which has long been at the forefront of engineering and
manufacturing in Scotland. The construction of the museum is an
engineering marvel itself and this partnership with BAE Systems
will ensure that we can continue to celebrate the finest in design
and construction.
"From the museum site, you can see the work being done just
downstream by the skilled Clyde workforce and apprentices. The
donation from our near neighbours will go a long way to helping us
to achieve our £5 million target."
Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "BAE
Systems has helped to keep alive our proud tradition of Clyde-built
ships in Govan. It is investing in our young people, through its
innovative apprenticeship scheme, and now providing a massive
contribution to what promises to be one of the world's most
breathtaking museums dedicated to engineering, transport and
industry."
BAE Systems is the largest defence company in Scotland and is
one of the largest employers in central Scotland. It has three
different businesses in the country which range from prime
contracting, advanced communications and electronics, through
aircraft support and warship design and manufacture. These
businesses are BVT Surface Fleet in Glasgow, the warship Joint
Venture with VT Group, BAE Systems Integrated System Technologies
at Hillend in Fife and BAE Systems Regional Aircraft in
Prestwick.
Employing almost 5,000 people in Scotland, BAE Systems is a
hugely significant contributor to the Scottish industrial,
financial and political landscape.
About BAE Systems:
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company
delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and
naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information
technology solutions and customer support services. With
approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales
exceeded £15.7 billion (US $31.4 billion) in 2007.
About the Riverside Museum Appeal
The Riverside Museum Appeal (RMA) is a charitable trust established
to raise £5,000,000 in sponsorship and donations from companies,
trusts and individuals for the development of the new Riverside
Museum.
The Riverside Museum Appeal is the second major capital appeal
undertaken with Glasgow Museums. It follows the hugely successful
refurbishment of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
The £5 million fundraising target is a fundamental element of the
partnership-funding package. It represents the private and
voluntary sector's contribution towards this exciting and
innovative project. Of the £74million needed for the
development of the Riverside Museum, Glasgow City Council and the
Heritage Lottery Fund have committed £69million.