BusinessThree new names at the helm of major Scots port operator

Three new names at the helm of major Scots port operator

THREE new names are at the helm of one of the UK’s major port operators – with major locations in Scotland.

Forth Ports, which owns and operates eight commercial ports in the UK and is the country’s third largest port operator, has announced three new leadership roles.

These appointments come as the company aims to restructure its senior team to reflect the increasing importance of its ports in the offshore renewables sector and the general supply chain.

Derek Knox.
Derek Knox has been appointed Head of Operations Scottish Ports.                                                              (C) Forth Ports

The firm, which has been in operation for over 50 years, focuses on developing ports to support the growth of industries.

The company has a particular focus on its Scottish sector, with a port in Dundee on the Firth of Tay and six on the Firth of Forth – Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy.

David Webster has been appointed as the company’s new Director of Energy.

Responsible for integrating Forth Ports’ energy team in Scotland, David will operate with a view to building on Forth Ports’ market position in the energy sector.

David will retain his existing responsibilities at the ports of Dundee and Leith, where Forth Ports is currently constructing a £40m offshore renewables hub.

Ross McKissock has been appointed as Director of Unitised, responsible for integrating the commercial team on unitised container and trailer cargo across the Group.

Derek Knox has been appointed as Head of Operations Scottish Ports.

Within this role, Derek will have strategic and operational responsibility for delivering quality performance and maximum efficiency across Forth Ports’ Scottish Ports.

He will retain his specific responsibilities as Senior Port Manager at the Port of Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest container port, and Forth Ports’ Fife ports, including the Port of Rosyth.

Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “These new senior positions come at a key time when we are focusing our business on the important areas of offshore renewables, containerised cargo and a resilient supply chain.

“As a group we are investing significantly across the business in these areas including our bespoke renewables hubs in Leith and Dundee and our freeport freight hub in the Thames.

I have worked with David, Ross and Derek for a number of years, and I am confident they will make an even stronger contribution to the continued development of Forth Ports in their new roles.”

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