ABP Announces New Leadership for Southampton (UK)

Associated British Ports (ABP) has today announced a reorganisation of its Humber ports and the retirement of ABP Port Director Southampton, Doug Morrison.

The reorganisation on the Humber will bring ABP’s operational and commercial teams under one umbrella.

Currently separated into two directorates covering Hull and Goole on the north bank of the river and Grimsby and Immingham on the south, ABP will create a new single organisation to manage all four of its Humber ports.

The move is a response to increasing demand from customers and better aligns ABP with other organisations working to champion the region as a centre for trade and new renewable energy, such as the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.

The new organisation will be led by John Fitzgerald, currently ABP Port Director Grimsby & Immingham. As a result, Matt Jukes, currently ABP Port Director Hull & Goole, will be leaving ABP.

In Southampton, Nick Ridehalgh, currently ABP Port Director Short Sea Ports, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Morrison following his departure in December 2013.

The changes come at an exciting time for ABP’s business, with significant investment planned and underway on both the Humber and in Southampton.

ABP expects to invest at least £350 million in new infrastructure across the Humber over the coming years, and is already investing over £100 million on enhancing its container terminal in Southampton.

This investment reflects ABP’s focus on driving growth and delivering for customers. On the Humber, ABP recently opened the new £26 million Grimsby Riverside Terminal and has started a £100 million project to handle biomass at Immingham and Hull. ABP’s investment in Southampton will build on the port’s success as Europe’s most efficient container port, the UK’s premier cruise port and a leading port for car handling.

ABP Chief Executive, James Cooper, said: “ABP’s aim is to help customers benefit from the many advantages our ports on the Humber can offer, both as a centre for shipping and as an emerging centre for renewable energy.

John Fitzgerald has many years of experience in the ports industry and has successfully led Grimsby & Immingham, the UK’s largest port complex, for six years. He is passionate about serving our customers and a strong champion of the Humber region.

“Nick Ridehalgh has demonstrated outstanding leadership of our Short Sea Ports business and will ensure that the Port of Southampton continues to be one of the UK’s leading international gateways.”

Mr. Cooper continued, “I would also like to pay tribute to the contribution that both Doug and Matt have made to our business. Doug has worked for ABP for some 45 years. He leaves the Port of Southampton in great shape after almost nine years at the helm, having overseen significant growth, particularly in cruise and the port’s automotive trade. We wish him a very long and happy retirement.

“Matt has worked for ABP for nearly 20 years and has also demonstrated a great passion for our business, most recently expressed by his dogged pursuit of the Green Port Hull project, which, when delivered will transform the port. We wish him well for his future career.”

[mappress]

Press Release, September 24, 2013