PD Ports - Experts & Thought Leaders

PD Ports has made its largest-ever donation through its employee charity and community fund, in support of a member of the team and his family who use the services of Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice. The grant of £7,500 for the purchase of a specialist bed was made following a request by Mike Lee, a business development analyst, who made an application to PD Ports’ Find It Fund It initiative after seeing the impact of the work done by Zoe’s Place as they support his daughter, Amelia, four, with family respite care. His request for a £7,500 grant to pay for a specialist, secure bed for the Middlesbrough facility was agreed by PD Ports’ chief executive Frans Calje – by far the largest awarded in the scheme’s history – as a show of support for Mike and his family and to continue the company’s long-standing links with Zoe’s Place. Funding from the annual pot PD Ports’ monthly Find It, Fund It initiative aims to directly support worthy projects that are close to the hearts of the 1,400 people who work for the company and benefit smaller organisations that might otherwise get overlooked. The Find It Fund It large grant plan has been in place at PD Ports since 2018 and has funded dozens of projects Applications for funding from the annual pot can be made by anyone who works for PD Ports, from any of the 11 sites nationwide, and can be made for smaller grants – to support a sports team with kit or equipment, for example – or a larger bid to support long-term, sustainable projects, such as a community garden or wider improvement works to a community building or facility. The Find It Fund It large grant scheme has been in place at PD Ports since 2018 and has supported dozens of projects, with donations reaching more than £75,000 to date. Supporters of Zoe’s Place Frans said: “Find It Fund It is an amazing scheme because it puts our people at the heart of our charitable work as a business and means that funding is going directly to projects that they believe in and personally support and will make a difference to the social and physical well-being of our local communities." “As a business, we are long-term supporters of Zoe’s Place but knowing how important the facility is to Mike and his family, and so many other families across the region, we wanted to give our backing to this particular project, which will have lasting benefits for the children who use the service.” Fundraising initiatives Mike Lee said: “Zoe’s Place does so much for us as a family and we know Amelia is loved and well cared for whenever she goes to stay." “We support their fundraising initiatives where we can, and when it became apparent that Zoe’s were in need of a specialist bed, I decided to put in the application for the Find It Fund It scheme. I was quite emotional when it was successful and so grateful for PD Ports’ support – the new equipment will benefit so many children and families in years to come.” Support from PD Ports Beth O’Gara, head of care at Zoe’s Place, added: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from PD Ports." “This new piece of equipment is something we have wanted for some time, it’s perfect for our hospice as it has a soft padded flexible side that prevents injury and has a low-stimulation environment which is ideal for sleep. The children who visit Zoe’s Place will benefit from this new bed.”

PD Ports is pleased to announce the appointment of Michelle Robson to its executive leadership team, as we continue towards our vision of becoming the UK’s premier, and most sustainable, seaport and port logistics operator. As Chief People and Compliance Officer, Michelle will be responsible for a broad range of key functions across the PD Ports Group, including HR; health, safety, and environment; resilience, business continuity, and security; Harbour Police and the Harbour Office. Michelle Robson Michelle has a strong leadership background and extensive experience leading people strategies that deliver clear business results. She joined PD Ports from Indicia Worldwide, where she was the Global Chief People Officer, responsible for the company’s international people strategy. She also has previous experience in senior leadership roles, including more than 20 years working in shipbuilding and the oil and gas offshore industry in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, as well as experience in manufacturing and engineering. Sustainable port PD Ports is the partner of choice for customers and stakeholders, and the employer of choice in the communities Michelle joins PD Ports at a time of transformation in the company, as we make strides towards becoming the UK’s most sustainable port with a target to reach net zero across our operations by 2040. As one of the key drivers of inward investment to Teesside and the largest private employer in the region, PD Ports is the partner of choice for customers and stakeholders, and the employer of choice in the communities. Michelle's comment Michelle Robson said, “I am delighted to join PD Ports and to have the opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking and dynamic business, with a strong track record of performance and people development." “While I have a background in maritime, ports and logistics are a new sector for me – I want not only to understand our business but to also understand the customers and communities we serve. I’ll be looking at our existing plans and priorities to see how I can build on these to help shape the future, making sure we are a safe and great place to work.” Jon Armstrong Jon was heavily involved in the implementation of the Port Marine Safety Code, holding the post of Designated Person PD Ports’ current Director of Human Resources and Statutory Compliance, Jon Armstrong, will step down from the role this summer, following a transition period with Michelle. He joined PD Ports in 2000 as part of the senior finance management team and played a key role in the system and organisational changes implemented as the PD Ports Group consolidated. He was also heavily involved in the implementation of the Port Marine Safety Code, holding the post of Designated Person for several years, and also oversaw a fundamental review of the Group’s security and Harbour Police functions. Supporting workforce Frans Calje, chief executive officer at PD Ports, welcomed Michelle to the company and also paid tribute to Jon Armstrong. He said, “A business is only as good as the people it employs – it is vital that as a major employer for the region, we take the lead in living up to our core values as a business, supporting and developing our workforce both professionally and personally. Michelle brings a wealth of experience to her new role with PD Ports and I look forward to seeing her impact on the business." Calm approach “And while we welcome Michelle, it means we must also say farewell to Jon Armstrong. Jon has played a fundamental role in keeping PD Ports strong and resilient in the face of some of the most turbulent times in recent years." "His strength of character and calm approach will be missed by all and we wish him well on his new adventure.”

A major programme of repairs is underway at the iconic breakwater at South Gare after the structure suffered serious damage in the face of extraordinary sea conditions during Storm Babet. Concrete slabs weighing up to 50 tonnes were ‘tossed about like pebbles’ during Storm Babet in October, as the breakwater took the brunt of fierce winds and waves which reached several metres high. PD Ports, as Statutory Harbour Authority for Teesport and the Port of Hartlepool, with responsibility for the maintenance and safe passage of the many thousands of vessels that visit its waters every year, has committed £1.5m to repair the damage to the structure. Rough sea conditions The lighthouse at the tip of South Gare, itself a listed structure and one of only a few left The first phase of repair works has seen 200 cubic metres of concrete injected into the voids left by the broken slabs to repair the immediate damage, with work set to continue into 2024 as weather conditions allow. PD Ports, and its predecessor companies, have been guardians of the River Tees and its environs since 1852 as Statutory Harbour Authority. The company was responsible for the building of the breakwater, with construction starting in 1863 and completed in 1888, as a means of protecting the entrance of the port from rough sea conditions.  The lighthouse at the tip of South Gare, itself a listed structure and one of only a few left operational in the UK, was established in 1884 and continues to provide a vital service in providing safe entry to Teesport. Iconic piece of the Teesside landscape Frans Calje, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PD Ports, said: “The conditions at South Gare during Storm Babet can only be described as extraordinary. The scale of the forces that hit the structure that day are hard to imagine–huge concrete blocks were tossed about like pebbles."  He adds, "I have to pay tribute to our predecessors and the workforce who built the breakwater at South Gare more than 150 years ago. It is an iconic piece of the Teesside landscape and a vital protector of our industrial platform." Climate change means that we will see more major weather events like Storm Babet" Frans Calje continues, “Teesport is one of the largest port complexes in the UK and the river is the lifeblood of many of our region’s key industries – from offshore energy, the chemical sector and of course our own operations. Climate change means that we will see more major weather events like Storm Babet and we are looking at our options beyond the immediate repair to see what can be done to strengthen the breakwater and keep it operating as it has done since 1888.” PD Ports' role as Statutory Harbour Authority Jerry Hopkinson, the Executive Chairman at PD Ports, said: “Our role as Statutory Harbour Authority is one that we take tremendously seriously and we are committed to protecting the gare, the river and its business community." He adds, “The structure has taken a hammering, it was battered by the waves, but it is still standing and it is still providing protection to the river. We are prepared to do what is necessary to strengthen the gare and keep it functioning for many more years to come.”