The regional director of Humber port operator ABP is to step down in the autumn, the company has announced.
Simon Bird has been in post for nine years leading the ABP Humber Ports complex which is said to be the UK’s busiest trading gateway with four ports of Immingham, Grimsby, Goole and Hull handling more than 58m tonnes of cargo between them each year.
Mr Bird will leave his role in October with shareholders and executive board colleagues thanking him for having made a “significant contribution” to the company. During his tenure as regional director he has been instrumental in improving health and safety standards for ABP employees and other port users; bringing forward large projects that enable decarbonisation and supporting the green energy transition.
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Just last year, Mr Bird played a key role in securing the freehold of a 227.5-acre site known as Stallingborough Interchange, which is now marked for expansion through commercial port opportunities including automotive, bulk warehousing, distribution and logistics uses, advanced manufacturing, and green energy initiatives. He has also been instrumental in securing the Humber Freeport, which he now chairs.
In an announcement of his coming departure, ABP said: “Simon’s impressive career spans over 28 years as a senior leader in the ports sector in the UK. He began his industry career in the maritime and ports sector on the board of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company (now Peel ports).
“He went on to be CEO at Bristol Port Company 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 port advisor to the UK Government.”
Since 2014, Mr Bird has also been an honorary captain in the Royal Navy reserve – a role he has carried out alongside his ABP duties.
