Senior management moves at Forth Ports

Friday 20th September 2024

As the business evolves, and continues to focus on achieving its ambitious goals, Forth Ports, the UK’s third largest ports group, announces two senior management changes.

Chief Operating Officer

With decades of experience in the ports business, Paul Dale (currently Asset and Site Director for the Port of Tilbury) has been appointed as Forth Ports’ Chief Operating Officer, expanding his role across the group.

In addition to his existing responsibilities at the Port of Tilbury, Paul will drive operational excellence across the group, lead the transformation of its infrastructure and technology and oversee its Marine, Engineering and Safety functions. Paul will focus on people development and building high performing teams. Derek Knox, Director of Operations Scotland, will now report directly to Paul as will Alan McPherson, Group Chief Harbour Master. Paul will remain a member of the company’s Executive Management Board.

Paul joined Forth Ports in 1989 as a 19-year-old marine operative.

Chief Commercial and Financial Officer

After seven very successful years with Forth Ports, Carole Cran, Chief Commercial and Financial Officer and main board director, has decided to step down from her role to explore opportunities outside of the company.

Carole joined Forth Ports as Chief Financial Officer in 2017 and will leave in November following the completion of the company’s annual business planning process. The company has initiated the recruitment process for her successor. In the intervening period the Group’s Finance and IT functions will be overseen by Matt McCreath, Director of Finance, and commercial activity will be led by Forth Ports’ strong commercial and legal teams.

Stuart Wallace, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said:

“Paul Dale is a very experienced ports professional and has already been instrumental in our growth and success at Tilbury. I am confident that, as we enter this next phase in Forth Ports’ development, he will prove to be an even stronger member of the Group’s executive team, helping us to demonstrate strength of character and deliver excellence across the business.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to Carole for her exceptional contributions during her time at Forth Ports and wish her every success as she embarks on the next chapter in her very successful career. Her leadership and strategic vision have been instrumental in our success during her time here. She has encouraged us all to think differently and contributed significantly to the culture of the organisation. Carole will be greatly missed by everyone here.”

 

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Oil pollution response to be tested at training event in Kirkcaldy

Wednesday 11th September 2024

An emergency response safety exercise, which simulates an oil spill in the Firth of Forth, will take place on Tuesday 17th September in the vicinity of Pathhead Sands and Seafield Beach in Kirkcaldy.

Clearwater Forth – the oil pollution preparedness, response and cooperation plan – is tested annually by Forth Ports in different areas around the River Forth. Fife Council will partner with Forth Ports for the exercise this year and it is likely that the exercise will result in some activity on Pathhead Sands and Seafield Beach. Residents and walkers should not be alarmed by this activity, it is a training exercise only and there is no risk to the environment. The beaches will remain open but there will be specialist equipment in use so members of the public are advised to remain at a safe distance

Alan McPherson, Chief Harbour Master, Forth Ports, said: “The Clearwater Forth annual training exercise help us all gain experience so that we are better equipped to respond speedily and effectively should a real oil spillage ever occur in the river. Safety is a top priority for Forth Ports and all the other organisations involved in Clearwater Forth.

“No-one in the local area of Kirkcaldy should be alarmed if they see activity on the beaches, it’s a training exercise and there is no risk to the environment, people or property. We look at all kinds of situations during exercises and build on any lessons that arise so that we can improve our emergency procedures and be better placed to protect the local communities and the environment.”

Shona Robertson, Fife Council’s Emergency Resilience Manager, said: “Protecting the environment and Fife’s popular coastline is a priority for Fife Council and our local communities. This training exercise provides us and our partners with the opportunity to fully test arrangements, including Fife Council’s Pollution Contingency Plan, to ensure we are well-positioned to respond should any actual incident ever occur.”

Clearwater Forth is an established emergency response plan designed to handle incidents on the river which may involve the risk of oil pollution. The plan is the responsibility of Forth Ports and is only required to be tested every three years. However, Forth Ports tests this on an annual basis as the ports group views safety as a priority.

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Forth Ports invests in early careers as it welcomes 22 new graduates and apprentices

Monday 19th August 2024

Forth Ports has welcomed 22 new talented apprentices and graduates from across their UK wide business for a welcome day at the Port of Tilbury. The new intake brings a diverse range of skills and expertise and will be working across the business including operations, engineering, marine and finance.

Featuring a day of teambuilding activities designed to encourage collaboration and camaraderie for the new recruits, the welcome day at the Port of Tilbury included insightful discussions with leaders from across the Forth Ports Group, including CEO, Stuart Wallace, who offered a valuable perspective on the company’s vision, the important role that apprentices and graduates play in the future of the business and why Forth Ports is committed to investing in the future of the workforce.

The new group will be joining an existing community of 47 graduates and apprentices already working across the business in a wide range of roles. This latest addition of talent marks Forth Ports’ continued investment and commitment in nurturing and developing the new wave of upcoming talent for the port and logistics industry. The investment in talent is a key part of Forth Ports long-term strategy which aligns with the broader goals set by both the Scottish and UK Governments.

Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports said:

“We warmly welcome our new apprentices and graduates to our business and we wish them a successful career with us. Forth Ports is committed to investing in continuous learning and professional growth of all our people. We not only support an individual’s personal career journey but we also contribute to the UK’s broader economic and industrial goals. We aim to be at the heart of bringing talented individuals into the industry and look forward to supporting our apprentices and graduates on their career journey in the coming years.”

Harry Ford, Marine Apprentice at Forth Ports said:

“The welcome event was a great opportunity to bring together all areas of the business. I now understand how each area of the business operates, and how they work together as a whole. The event taught me how important it is to create healthy working relationships as I progress in my career.”

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Naming of renewable energy berth at Port of Leith honours former CEO

Tuesday 6th August 2024

Forth Ports is to name its newly-constructed deep water riverside berth at the Port of Leith – designed to host the world’s largest offshore wind construction vessels – the Charles Hammond Berth, in honour of the company’s former Chief Executive who stepped down from the role in June, after 23 years at the helm.

The news was revealed to staff by his successor, Stuart Wallace, in an all-company video following a successful marine trial of the berth last week. It hosted the 88,500 tonne Carnival Legend cruise ship – the largest vessel ever to berth at the Port of Leith – in an exercise that was executed successfully.

Stuart Wallace, Forth Ports’ CEO, said:

“Since taking on the CEO role at the start of July this has been the easiest decision I’ve faced. 

“It was Charles’s vision to build the infrastructure, first in Dundee then here in Leith, to meet the needs of the offshore wind sector, ahead of the market. 

“This vision lives on, not just in his name but as we create Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub right here in Leith, helping Scotland and the UK achieve their net zero ambitions.”

Built to accommodate the world’s largest offshore renewables support vessels, Leith’s outer berth is scheduled to be completed and handed over later this month. The berth features a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m2), backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

Leith will deliver Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub on a 175-acre site – supporting Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high quality green jobs and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net zero carbon emissions targets.

The Leith Renewables Hub will be part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth.

There will be an official opening ceremony for the new berth in the coming months.

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Forth Ports successfully trials new deep water berth with the arrival of the Carnival Legend cruise vessel in Leith

Tuesday 30th July 2024

The people of Leith woke up to a spectacular sight today (30th July) with the 293m long Carnival Legend cruise vessel calling into the port’s new deep water berth. The 88,500 tonne cruise vessel, with around 3,000 passengers and crew on board, was berthed as part of the first full marine trial using the new outer berth.

Built to accommodate the world’s largest offshore renewables support vessels, Leith’s outer berth will be completed and handed over next month (August). The berth will feature a heavy lift capability of up to 100 tonnes per square metre (t/m2), backed up by 175 acres of adjacent land for associated renewables logistics, marshalling and manufacturing.

Leith will deliver Scotland’s largest renewable energy hub on a 175-acre site – supporting Scotland’s energy transition plans, boosting local supply chains, creating new, high quality green jobs and making a significant contribution to the country achieving its net zero carbon emissions targets.

A regular visitor into the River Forth, the Carnival Legend is calling into the Port of Leith itself for the first time, with over 2,000 passengers and 930 crew on board. The ship is 293m long, which is the length of around 25 buses, or three full size football pitches, rising to 12 decks above the water with a tonnage of 88,500 making her over 15 times the size of the Royal Yacht Britannia berthed nearby in Leith. Her guests will disembark in Leith and take advantage of pre-planned day excursions or travel into the city centre to enjoy the many attractions of Scotland’s capital city.

Commenting on the trial of Leith’s new outer berth, Stuart Wallace, CEO of Forth Ports, said: “Forth Ports is driving private investment into vital port infrastructure in our ports to ensure Scotland benefits from future low carbon industries, including offshore wind. Although designed and built for offshore renewables, this successful trial of the new deep water outer berth in Leith with the Carnival Legend is a true milestone for our business as we get Leith ready, ahead of the market, for future renewables projects.”

The Leith Renewables Hub will be part of the Forth Green Freeport’s strategically located tax sites, which aim to reindustrialise central Scotland, generating thousands of high-quality green jobs by increasing trade and supporting the growth of businesses across the Firth of Forth.

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Forth Green Freeport appoints Chief Executive to lead ambitious green growth strategy

Tuesday 16th July 2024

Forth Green Freeport (FGF) announces today (16 July 2024) that it has appointed Sarah Murray as the first Chief Executive of the public/private consortium.

FGF officially opened for business last month (12 June) with a commitment to deliver an ambitious green growth strategy to re-industrialise Scotland, bringing economic and net zero benefits for the country as a whole and the local communities in Fife, Falkirk, Leith and beyond.

Sarah is a highly professional leader who brings to the role considerable relevant experience working with multiple layered organisations (public and private sector) developing skills and infrastructure that drive economic activity. She also has considerable stakeholder engagement experience and collaborative successes which are seen as being particularly relevant. Sarah is currently the Director of Local London, a sub-regional economic growth partnership of nine London boroughs, and was previously Head of Regulation for the City of London Corporation (2016-2021).

Sarah spent 16 years working in Brussels in various senior roles, including leading the East of England Brussels Office, Lancashire Brussels Office and as Deputy Director at the Channel Islands Brussels Office. Sarah has also been an Executive Director of the Thames Estuary Growth Board (2021-2023) and has recently been included on the Net Zero 50 list for 2024.

Sarah was appointed following an exhaustive recruitment process led by independent recruitment specialists and involving a recruitment panel and a two stage interview process. She will take up her role as CEO on 27 August.

Welcoming Sarah to the role, Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport, said: “The position of CEO of Forth Green Freeport is core to our success. We conducted a robust recruitment process to ensure that we got the right person for the job and we’re thrilled to have appointed Sarah. She brings with her a host of qualities and professional experience which are vital for the role as CEO of the Forth Green Freeport and we’re looking forward to working with her to deliver this exciting long-term programme for Scotland.”

Commenting on her appointment, Sarah Murray said: “This is an exciting opportunity for me personally and for Scotland to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, both nationally and for local communities. Throughout my career I have gained a wealth of experience of working with multilayered partnerships and I understand the importance of good, transparent stakeholder engagement. I am looking forward to getting started in August and to begin building on the excellent start that the consortium has already made.”

The Forth Green Freeport officially “opened for business” on 12 June 2024 following approval from the Scottish and UK Governments of its Outline Business Case and the designation of its three tax sites, located in Grangemouth, Rosyth, Mid-Forth (Leith and Burntisland). The public / private consortium will attract new businesses and new jobs into the FGF area, aided by a suite of financial incentives to deliver major economic and net zero benefits for Scotland as a whole and for the local communities in Fife, Falkirk, Leith and beyond.

Focusing on the key target sectors of offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, FGF will support the re-industrialisation of Central Scotland and large-scale economic regeneration over the next decade. The consortium is currently developing its Final Business Case which will be submitted to the Scottish and UK Governments later in the summer.

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Forth Ports submits plans for next phase of Harbour 31 as part of the regeneration of Leith

Monday 1st July 2024

Forth Ports has submitted a Proposal of Application (PAN) to The City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) for phase two of Harbour 31, known as The Dry Dock at Harbour 31, an exciting new creative and commercial hub on land to the east of Edinburgh Dock within the Port of Leith (see outline map attached with this media release).

The PAN submitted is the next phase of the wider Harbour 31 development plans for the area and follows on from the Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) submitted in March this year for 337 new homes and approximately 244sqm of commercial space.

This PAN identifies specific opportunities including business, general industrial use, storage and distribution, training/education facilities, with retail, food and drink uses on a site situated to the east of Edinburgh Dock at the Port of Leith; integrating land at the port into the wider community in and around Leith.

As part of the consultation process to inform the submission of a detailed planning application later in the year, two public exhibitions will be held at Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ. The first exhibition will be on Tuesday 30 July 2024 between 3pm and 7pm. The date of the second exhibition is still to be confirmed but will likely be in the month of September.

The redevelopment of this area of Leith represents an exciting opportunity to create a new neighbourhood while providing high quality architecture, landscaping and public space which will enhance the city’s connection to the waterfront.

Pamela Smyth, Chief Legal and Property Officer, of landowners Forth Ports Group, said: “This application is the next part of the Harbour 31 vision to create a vibrant new quarter for people to live, work in and enjoy as new green jobs come to Leith.

“Leith is quickly transitioning into a leading renewables hub and coupled with the benefits which can now be gained as the Forth Green Freeport, this will completely regenerate the area.”

The proposals have been designed by gfivethree architects.

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Forth Green Freeport is “Open for Business” as tax sites go live

Wednesday 12th June 2024

The Forth Green Freeport (FGF) is officially “open for business” today, 12 June 2024, following approval from the Scottish and UK Governments of its Outline Business Case and the designation of its three tax sites located in Grangemouth, Rosyth, Mid-Forth (Leith and Burntisland). This major step unlocks the investment incentives to deliver the green freeport vision.

This significant milestone for the public / private consortium, which is Chaired by Dame Susan Rice DBE, will attract new businesses and new jobs into the FGF area, aided by a suite of financial incentives to deliver major economic and net zero benefits for Scotland as a whole and the local communities in Fife, Falkirk, Leith and beyond.

Focusing on the key target sectors of offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, FGF will support the re-industrialisation of Central Scotland and large-scale economic regeneration over the next decade.

Forecasts indicate that there is the potential to attract £7bn of private and public investment over the next decade, delivering Gross Value Added (GVA) of £8.4bn. This could generate up to 38,350 well paid, highly skilled, green jobs, with almost 19,000 of these being direct gross jobs linked to the FGF’s target sectors and tax sites.

Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport, said: “This is it, Forth Green Freeport is officially open for business. It is an important time for the Green Freeport as we move through the business case development phase to delivery for Scotland.

“Through innovations in offshore wind manufacturing, assembly and commissioning, alongside innovative shipbuilding, modular assembly and hydrogen manufacture, the country’s net zero targets can be boosted by Forth Green Freeport.

“This is a long-term project and one which we know will deliver real benefits to the local communities through economic growth, skills re-training and training and access to high quality, green jobs.”

The potential of the FGF was highlighted by the news that Vestas has identified the Port of Leith as a possible location for a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. This is an example of how Green Freeport status can be used to boost Scotland’s renewable energy credentials with the potential to create hundreds of quality, green jobs in Scotland, supporting the just transition to net zero.

The investment incentives will only apply to businesses who commit to and deliver against a set of demanding Investor Principles that will guide all landowners and developers.  This will include abiding by the Fair Work Charter, which prioritises the rights, wages and working conditions of employees. The principles also require businesses to buy into Forth Green Freeport’s net zero commitments.

Strong governance is a key thread with a governing board with public and private sector members already established and active and with an independent Chair, Dame Susan Rice DBE. It comprises representatives from all consortium partners and includes elected members from all three local authorities and advisers from both the Scottish and UK Governments. An invitation has also been extended to the Scottish Trades Union Council (STUC) to have a worker representative on the board.

Dame Susan Rice added: “Strong governance is at the core of Forth Green Freeport as we focus sharply on ensuring that the Green Freeport operates to the highest standards. Workers’ rights will be protected, money will be spent wisely and all of the investors we attract to benefit from the incentives that the Green Freeport offers will be as committed as we are to ensuring that the most significant beneficiaries from this long-term initiative are the people from the communities around the Forth Green Freeport.”

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Leith's A-listed Victoria Swing Bridge Reopens after Refurbishment by Forth Ports

Monday 10th June 2024

Following a full refurbishment by Forth Ports, the Category A Listed Victoria Swing Bridge located at the Port of Leith, was officially reopened at the weekend with a walk over procession and a colourful community flag parade.

The six figure investment in the refurbishment of the 150 year old bridge, which is the largest counterweighted swing bridge in Scotland, was a programme of specialist works which ensures that the bridge is protected for the future. Repairs were made to the two pedestrian walkways and the central carriageway which included replacing the existing timber decking, steel work repairs and a full repair and repaint of the well-known blue bridge’s metalwork.

The procession included three new 6-metre Leith Flags which were commissioned by The Port of Leith and created in collaboration with Kinetika and the local community. Local Leith MSP Ben Macpherson, the Citadel Youth Centre and members of the Leith community all took part in the bridge walk at the weekend. The colourful flags encapsulate the rich history, the exciting present and ambitious future of Leith through artistic design which has been inspired by local stories, memories and aspirations from the local community.

The reopening of the bridge coincided with a weekend of events as part of the Leith Jazz and Blues Festival and included vintage bus tours around the Port of Leith which were led by the port team themselves.

Commenting on the reopening event, Stuart Wallace, Group Chief Executive Designate at Forth Ports, said: “It is fantastic to be at the reopening of the Victoria Swing Bridge which is an important landmark for the community in Leith. The bridge work is just one part of the exciting ongoing regeneration activity in Leith of which we are proud to be part of. The glorious Leith flags brought colour and creativity to the reopening bridge procession and we are excited to show these flags off to the community.

 “We are grateful to everyone who collaborated in the creation of the flags and I hope the local community enjoyed the vintage bus tours of the port. I know our team had a great time leading the tours and showing the dramatic, innovative redevelopment taking place as we build Scotland’s largest offshore renewables hub.”

The reopening of the Victoria Swing Bridge, coupled with the refurbishments and reopening of the Rennie’s Isle Bridge last year by Teuchters Landing, ensure that the people of Leith have better access around the local shore area. Further work will continue next year on the Victoria Swing Bridge with the refurbishment of the timber decked turning circles. This work will not impact on access for people crossing the bridge.

The Victoria Swing Bridge was designed by Alexander Rendel and opened in 1874 to provide an efficient road and railway route for the port following the completion of construction of Albert Dock in 1869. The bridge was originally B listed but was upgraded to an A listing in 2014. It is constructed of riveted wrought iron, timber and steel and originally carried a double rail track along its central deck (providing access for both trains and road vehicles) and features pedestrian walkways on either side.

10 June 2024                          – ends –

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Port of Tilbury kicks off the summer with local performers at busy open day

Monday 13th May 2024

The Port of Tilbury’s community Open Day, held on Saturday 11th May was a great success with local performers, market stalls and red bus port tours. Hundreds of local people of all ages arrived at the sunny London Cruise Terminal for a day of events.

The event was organised by the Forth Ports team but was supported by volunteers from Thurrock and Tilbury. Over £600 was raised for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as they celebrated their 200th anniversary.

The free events throughout the day included a sold-out vintage bus port tour and a new makers market which proved to be a great addition to the open day. Families also enjoyed face painting, crafts, and a competitive penalty shoot-out!

Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director from The Port of Tilbury said: “We had a fantastic day on Saturday as we once again opened our port doors to the local community. The day was enjoyed by everyone involved including our very own teams and their families. We are so grateful to have such a supportive community around us and would like to thank everyone who attended.”

 

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