Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced a reorganisation of its Humber ports to bring its 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.
The reorganisation comes at an exciting time for ABP's Humber ports with at least £350 million of infrastructure investment planned over the coming years.
Speaking about his new role, Mr. Fitzgerald said, "The Humber, already the UK's busiest shipping estuary, is a fantastic location for maritime trade and is at the forefront of the development of new renewable energy.
"The great opportunity is to promote a unified service to the market.
"ABP has a great team of people working across the Humber and our ports in this region have huge potential.
"I am determined to make sure we can realise that potential by growing our business with existing customers, attracting new customers and delivering our major programme of investment, including Green Port Hull, creating more sustainable jobs for the people of our region."
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, who is Chairman of the CBI's Yorkshire and Humber region, 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."
Mr. Cooper added, "I would also like to thank Matt Jukes, who has worked for ABP for nearly 20 years. Matt has made a significant contribution to ABP, most recently in his dogged pursuit of the Green Port Hull project, which, when it is delivered, will transform the port. We wish him well for the future."
