MHPA Boosts Investment Opportunities (UK)

Milford Haven Port Authority (MHPA) has announced the appointment of three new board members. It is expected their experience will encourage more investment into Pembrokeshire, in line with the Port’s aim to boost economic prosperity on the Haven and for Wales.

The three new non-executive members of the board, who will take up their posts on 1 November 2012, are Sue Davenport, Chris Martin and Andrew Edwards.

The new appointments are being made after a period of close consultation between Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Port, and secure the services of three individuals who have been extremely successful in their own fields and who have a good understanding of social and economic conditions of Pembrokeshire.

Chris Martin is appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Port. He was born and bred in Pembrokeshire. Having built up two businesses in the pharmacy industry he now has a portfolio of interests in private and public sector healthcare. He is currently the Chairman of Hywel Dda Health Board.

He said: “Without doubt it is a very exciting time to join Milford Haven Port as Vice Chairman and I relish the task of working with the team to ensure its continued success.”

Andrew Edwards, based in Carmarthenshire and a Welsh speaker, has had a long and distinguished career in the police service. He was the Acting Chief Constable for Dyfed Powys Police before being appointed Deputy Chief Constable for All Wales.

He said: “I am looking forward to continuing to build the Port for the benefit of both the local community and the Welsh economy as a whole.”

Sue Davenport has an excellent track record of growing and developing businesses within the service industry. In her recent position as Chief Executive of Pasta King UK Ltd, Sue achieved several business accolades including the National SME of the Year award. Sue has recently settled in Pembrokeshire breathing new life into a coastal farm diversifying into the tourism market.

She said “I am looking forward to joining a business that has been so successful in attracting new investment over the last few years. There is a real opportunity to attract further new business, particularly within the tourism and leisure industry.”

These new board members were appointed following consultation with Pembrokeshire County Council. Leader of the Council Jamie Adams said:

“Milford Haven Port Authority is one of the most important economic drivers for Pembrokeshire, with over 4,000 jobs in the county being dependent on the waterway and the activities of the port. I am pleased that Pembrokeshire County Council has been closely involved in selecting three new appointees to the board. All of them have superb track records within their respective fields of expertise and, crucially for us, Chris Martin as Vice Chairman, Sue Davenport and Andrew Edwards all have very close links with Pembrokeshire. We have no doubt that they will make substantial contributions towards achieving the future growth and development of the Port.”

Welcoming the appointments the Port’s Chairman, David Benson said: “Sue, Chris and Andrew all bring relevant experience and complementary skills that we need to grow the business and achieve our vision of providing port infrastructure and services with energy and excellence.

The fixed-term appointments of a number of our long serving directors have come to an end. I would particularly like to thank Danny Fellows, John Allen-Mirehouse, Paddy Walsh, Jan Reed and Anne Hughes for their many years of excellent service and contribution to the development of the Port.”

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Press Release, October 31, 2012