Bird to depart ABP

Simon Bird will step down as regional director of the Humber for Associated British Ports in October, after nine years in the role.

ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, said that during his tenure as regional director, Bird has been instrumental in driving forward significant change in the region including improving health and safety standards around ports, boosting viability, bringing forward large decarbonisation projects and supporting green energy transition.

The group also paid tribute to his role in bringing forward significant land purchases such as at Stallingborough, where it acquired 230 acres in December, and in securing freeport status for the area – he now chairs Humber Freeport.

Bird has built up a record of 28 years as a senior leader in the ports sector, from the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company through to becoming chief executive of Bristol Port Co before joining ABP’s executive board as regional director for the Humber region in 2015.

He served on the board of all three ports companies as well as serving as deputy chair and then chair of the UK Major Ports Group, and has acted as port advisor to the UK government.