Dawes has held senior roles at a number of large port operators. Credit: ABP

ABP appoints new Humber leader

15 August 2024 09:30 Neil Tague Comments (0)

Associated British Ports has appointed Andrew Dawes as regional director, succeeding Simon Bird, who will leave at the end of October.

Dawes will be part of the ABP executive team and will report directly to Henrik L. Pedersen, the port group’s chief executive.

Dawes began work at Southampton Container Terminal and has become a seasoned maritime executive, amassing almost 30 years of experience from the global ports and terminals industry with companies such as DP World, APM Terminals and ICTSI.

Alongside his leadership credentials, he brings experience in safety, operations and commercial activities. His experience also includes managing director roles with P&L accountability for terminals plus wider regional portfolio responsibility.

Dawes said: “This is an incredible time to be joining ABP as the next five-year business strategy is launched. I am delighted to be joining the Humber Region which has some really exciting projects and growth opportunities.”

Bird announced his resignation in June, after nine years in the role.

Pedersen, who praised the strong foundations laid by Bird. added: “ABP’s four Humber ports collectively provide the UK’s largest gateway for trade with the world and are the cornerstone of the Humber area’s potential as the UK’s preeminent ‘super cluster’ for the energy transition and industrial decarbonisation.

“Continuing to grow our Humber activities and delivering major infrastructure projects will be key to ABP.”

Dawes will join on 1 October for a month-long handover.

ABP operates four ports on the Humber estuary – Immingham, Grimsby, Hull and Goole – and is the statutory harbour authority for the whole estuary. The Humber is the UK’s biggest gateway for trade by volume, handling £80bn+ of trade, generating £6.6bn+ of value added for the UK economy and supporting 90,000 jobs in the broader Humber and Yorkshire region.

ABP recently submitted a listed building consent application for conservation works at Grimsby’s landmark Dock Tower.

The grade one-listed structure is the only one of its kind in the country and the work will include key structural repairs on the parapets, building of a new staircase, and drainage.

If approved by North East Lincolnshire Council, work could start on the historical structure later this year in the hope it can reopen to the public. Faults were discovered during routine maintenance at the 94m tall structure.