Appointments: Associated British Ports, Calbee UK, Gordons
HUMBER has a new director of Associated British Ports, after the appointment of Simon Bird, who joins from the Bristol Port Company.
He held a chief executive position there for more than 15 years, and prior to that has help Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, International Water and BAe.
Mr Bird will oversee the £400m investment in facilities and infrastructure in the four Humber ports at Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Immingham.
Mr Bird said: “This is a tremendous opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to build on the success of these operations, deliver further growth and ensure our customers receive the highest standard of service.
“As the country’s busiest trading gateway the Humber ports are vital to the economy of the region and the UK as a whole, and I feel enormously privileged to have been asked to lead the Humber team to ensure these four ports continue to thrive.”
ABP chief executive James Cooper said: “Simon has extensive experience of working in our industry and has successfully led the Bristol Port Company for over 15 years. Simon’s appointment reflects our ongoing commitment to our customers and to the Humber region, where we are in the process of investing over £400 million in state-of-the art facilities and infrastructure.”
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A CATEGORY insight controller has been appointed at Japanese snack giant subsidiary Calbee UK.
Managing director of Calbee UK, Richard Robinson said: “As we continue to agree listings with national retailers we also recognise that we must invest in our infrastructure and also the market and consumer insight that we have. Hugh will be a huge asset to the team and his previous experience is invaluable to us.
He adds: “We have big plans for the future and as a business that is led by our values to be admired, respected and loved by those we work with we know that personality is essential to our success. We have a strong family of colleagues that we can rely on as we continue on our journey to become one of the best manufacturers of savoury snacks in the UK.”
Calbee UK launched in June 2015 with the official opening of a £6.5m factory in Deeside, North Wales.
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LAW firm Gordons has added to its young team with the appointment of four graduates and two apprentices to the team.
Lisa Bland, Rebecca D’Arcy, Samantha Nickson and Edward Strudwick have started two-year training contracts, while Lauren Frear and Sophie Levitt will be the next up in the firm’s apprenticeship scheme.
Gordons managing partner Paul Ayre said: “Our excellent reputation for developing young talent means we have to disappoint literally hundreds of applicants every year when we allocate our training places.
“This unfortunate imbalance means we don’t recruit merely potential solicitors but very high quality people, capable of contributing to client delivery immediately and with all the attributes to become partners or even higher.
“Lauren and Sophie also have hard acts to follow, as the quality of our apprentices so far has been outstanding, proving handsomely our theory that the degree requirement was costing the legal profession some impressive talent.
“We’re confident, however, that our new recruits will uphold those standards and do very well here.”
Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford, employs 235 people and has a turnover of £22.9m.
