Port of Tyne’s CEO Becomes Chair of British Ports’ Association

Andrew Moffat, Port of Tyne’s Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed Chair of the British Ports’ Association (BPA).

The BPA is dedicated to representing a wide variety of UK port interests to government in the UK, Europe and internationally and represents the interests of over 91 member organisations including many of the UK’s largest ports and terminals.

Andrew Moffat said: “I am delighted to have been elected Chair of the BPA and I have the privilege of taking over at a time when there are many positives about the ports and maritime sector.

“I’d like to thank our retiring Chairman, Colin Parker of Aberdeen Harbour and pay tribute to his tremendous commitment to the Association.”

A relative new comer to the maritime sector, Andrew Moffat joined the Port of Tyne in 2007 from having previously held strategic roles at Orange plc and Three mobile. During his time at the Port of Tyne he has overseen the transformation of the business leading to year on year growth and last year winning North East Business of the Year.

Taking over as Chair of the BPA having held the Vice Chair since 2011 Andrew Moffat sees a striking contrast between mobile telecoms and ports and the maritime sector, though both are vitally important to the national economy.

“The ports sector makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, supporting 120,000 direct jobs and £8 billon GDP, playing a fundamentally important role in the country’s economy with 95% of the UK’s international trade – imports and exports -carried through UK ports each year,” said Andrew.

In his opening speech to the Association Andrew Moffat said, “There are many opportunities where ports can move to a more cohesive cross-industry approach to developing ports policy and profile,” emphasising greater collaboration in the formation of the Ports Strategic Partnership and plans to collaborate with the Department of Transport, the businesses that depend upon ports, local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships.

David Whitehead OBE – Director of the British Ports Association, said: “I am delighted that Andrew is the new Chair of the BPA. He has been a staunch supporter of the Association for many years both as a member and as part of our board.”

Port of Tyne, April 3, 2014