(Left to Right): Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of UKMPG, Charles Hammond OBE, Forth Ports CEO and outgoing UKMPG Chair; Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Transport Secretary; Henrik L. Pedersen, ABP CEO and incoming UKMPG Chair

Today, the UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) has announced that Henrik L. Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s largest and leading port operator, will become its new Chair during the organisation’s 30^th anniversary year.

In his role at UKMPG, a trade association representing the voices of the UK’s largest port operators, Henrik will chair the Board of other member CEOs and provide strategic direction for the organisation as it champions the vital role of the UK’s in ports in facilitating trade, enabling the green energy transition and catalysing the growth of investment and jobs all around the coast of the UK.

“I am honoured to assume the role of Chair of UKMPG and grateful for the opportunity to bring to the table all I have learnt at ABP and my knowledge of the global maritime industry. I would like to thank Charles for the fantastic work he has done during his tenure and hope to build on this solid foundation in order to grasp the opportunities presented by green growth.” reflected Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO of ABP.

Henrik continued “It’s an incredibly exciting time, but in the face of global competition, our sector can never afford to stand still. UKMPG members are investing, across this country, in new, clean technologies and infrastructure. Putting in place the right enabling policies and regulation to keep globally mobile infrastructure capital flowing into the UK is vital to continue this proud record. And making sure the UK maximises the value, from being a proud trading nation, to taking advantage of the green energy transition.”

Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Secretary of State for Transport, commented: “Ports play a pivotal role for businesses and supply chains across the UK, helping to grow the economy and sustain skilled jobs. I would like to congratulate Charles for being a great champion for major ports and I look forward to continuing to work with Henrik, Geraint and Claudio at UKMPG to support our vital UK ports now and in the future.”

Promoting sustainability and ports’ role in accelerating the UK’s journey towards net zero will be a key focus for Mr Pedersen, who will draw on his experience from ABP, the UK’s leading port operator. Having spearheaded the launch of ABP’s first ever net zero sustainability strategy, ‘Ready For Tomorrow’, he is no stranger to championing green growth. As part of this strategy, ABP is planning to invest £2 billion to decarbonise its own operations and support large-scale green infrastructure projects to enable the wider UK energy transition.

Henrik was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Board of Associated British Ports in August 2018. He joined ABP from APM Terminals, a global ports company owned by the Maersk Group, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer. During his 20-year tenure with the Maersk Group he held a wide range of senior leadership roles based in Denmark, USA, China, Panama, Singapore and the Netherlands. Henrik, a Danish national, holds a finance degree from Copenhagen Business School as well as having completed various executive studies at Columbia, Harvard and IMD business schools.