Staff Changes in the Freight and Logistics Sector Begin on a Sombre Note

UK – We begin this week’s staff changes in the world of freight, shipping, and logistics on a more sombre note with the death of the Port of Tyne’s Chairman, Sir Les Elton, following a recent illness. Sir Les joined the Board of the Port of Tyne in 2004, the same year in which he was knighted for services to Local Government, before taking over as Chairman two years ago. No successor has yet been named.

UK – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has named Robert Keen as its new General Director to succeed Peter Quantrill who has also announced his retirement from the trade association, effective in August. Quantrill has led BIFA for the past 7 years, with Keen acting as Executive Director since 2009.

Keen is also Chairman of the FIATA Multimodal Institute and a member of FIATA's Extended Board; Vice Chairman of CLECAT's Maritime Logistics Institute and a Member of the CLECAT'S Board. He has also been Chairman of the United Kingdom Air Cargo Club.

UK – As part of the government reshuffle, Conservative Claire Perry who is MP for Devizes, elected in the 2010, joins the Department for Transport as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State replacing Stephen Hammond, who was responsible for freight and logistics. The full extent of Claire Perry’s ministerial responsibilities are yet to be confirmed.

John Hayes is appointed Minister of State at the DfT. He is MP for South Holland and The Deepings and will also have ministerial duties at the Cabinet Office.

The rest of the ministerial team at the DfT remains unchanged with Patrick McLoughlin as secretary of State for Transport, and with Baroness Kramer and Robert Goodwill as junior ministers.

UK – Colin Matthews, former Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow Airport Holdings, has been appointed non-Executive Chairman of the Highways Agency (HA). The new chairman will take over as the HA is transformed into a government-owned company. Colin will take over the post from Alan Cook.

UK – Associated British Ports has appointed Mark Frith to the post of Port Manager, Hull & Goole. The move comes after a significant restructure for ABP on the Humber, which recently saw the four ports of Hull, Goole, Grimsby, and Immingham brought under one directorate.

UK – Linde Material Handling has appointed Richard Smart as its new Head of Business Development, based at Linde’s headquarters in Basingstoke.

UK – Automated Packaging Systems has appointed Steve Dougan as new European product manager to drive development of its AutobagR, AirPouchR and SidePouchR systems.

UK – HONG KONG – John Rowley has been appointed Managing Director of Lloyd’s Register’s Management Systems, effective 1st July, having been working closely on the handover with Mike James, his predecessor, since January. James is retiring from LR after 22 years' service. Rowley will be based in both Hong Kong and London, and brings in a series of changes in order to strengthen the management team.

Previous Director of Lloyd’s Register EMEA, Paul Graaf has been appointed Management Systems Chief Operating Officer (COO). Steve Allison has been appointed as Management Systems Finance Director. Allison was previously the Finance Director of LR’s Rail Transportation business. Both Graaf and Allison will report directly to Rowley.

HONG KONG – Cathay Pacific Services Limited has appointed Kelvin Ko as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with immediate effect. Ko was Chief Operating Officer of CPSL prior to taking up this new appointment. He was also one of the core members in the early stage of planning and design of the Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal. He has over 20 years of experience in the air cargo industry.

GERMANY – Angela Titzrath, Member of the Management Board and Labour Director at Deutsche Post DHL, has stepped down from her mandate, citing personal reasons. Pending the appointment of a new Head of HR, Frank Appel, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL, will take on the corresponding responsibilities in a dual role.

US – The US Senate has confirmed Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen as US Maritime Administrator.

US – INTTRA has the appointment of John Fay as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Fay replaces Ken Bloom, who announced his departure from INTTRA in March 2014.

US – ID Systems has appointed Norman Ellis to the position of Chief Operating Officer.