The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s largest energy port, has named Tom Sawyer as its new chief executive.
He takes over from Andy Jones who previously announced his decision to step down from the role. Sawyer is due to take up the post at the end of April 2022.
The Welsh-based port said the new CEO brings “significant leadership experience” during his 35-year career which has spanned the defence, security, intelligence, and technology industries.
Port of Milford Haven chairman Chris Martin said Sawyer’s “personal leadership and engagement style” will be key to the ports continued success.
“Tom joins us at a very exciting time as we strengthen our core service offering and seek to deliver on our ambitious diversification strategy. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we support the nation’s drive to Net-Zero,” said Martin.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Wales and to have been given this opportunity to make a contribution to the future prosperity, quality of life and wellbeing of the people of Pembrokeshire,” said Sawyer.
“Having family that live and work here and having formed some of my fondest memories in the county, it is a place that I care deeply about.
“I cannot wait to throw myself into this challenging role and to work with stakeholders to grow the business, build for the future, and ensure the long-term relevance of the port to the region and nation.”
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas and has been dubbed “the energy capital of the UK”.
It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock whose activities cover cargo handling, ferry operations and cruise calls.
The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port — an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of port and harbour services and facilities.
The port has committed to making substantial investments over the next five years to support and grow the clean energy cluster around the Haven.
The port’s vision is for it to play a vital national role in driving new green growth in hydrogen, floating offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy generation.
Late last year the port started work on redeveloping areas within Pembroke Port as part of the £60m ($80m) Pembroke Dock Marine project.
The redevelopment aims to create a “world-class energy and engineering centre of excellence” and act as a focal point for capturing the economic value from wind, wave and tidal renewable energy projects.
The Pembroke Dock Marine project is part of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal, a once in a generation opportunity to regenerate the area by creating the facilities and infrastructure needed to support the growing marine renewables industry.
