Introduction
Thank you for your interest in learning more about the role of Chair of Milford Haven Port Authority,
which has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. As a Trust Port, we are
committed to driving significant positive change in Pembrokeshire, with the well-being of our
communities, customers, partners, and staff at the core of our planning and delivery processes.
While our primary function is to ensure safe and efficient navigation on the Milford Haven Waterway for
millions of tons of cargo each year through our pilotage and conservancy role, the Port of Milford Haven
has evolved into much more than that.
Our engagement with the energy sector stands at the forefront of our efforts.
We are committed to paving the way towards a green energy future for the Port. This dedication is
demonstrated by our involvement in the bid for freeport status as part of the Celtic Freeport collaboration,
which is exceptional news for the region. As we work alongside our partners, we aim to secure the final
freeport status, bringing substantial opportunities for growth and development.
It is also evidenced by the £60 million upgrade at Pembroke Port, where we are poised to become a thriving
hub for marine energy development. This enhancement positions us as an attractive and capable location
for our customers, as we embrace a new energy epoch committed to sustainability and renewable energy.
The Port has also expanded its interest in the hospitality and tourism sectors through the Milford
Waterfront development. It has attracted a major UK hotelier alongside an exciting range of independent
businesses, all creating an enriching experience for locals and tourists. As the Board of the Port of Milford
Haven, we are committed to providing entrepreneurial leadership to the Port, enabling the executive to
continue to exceed expectations.
Our new Chair will therefore join us at a really exciting time. This pack describes more about our purpose,
work and values and describes in detail the calibre of individual we are looking for as our new Chair. Our
role at the heart of our community, our complex portfolio of services and our deep commitment to diverse,
collaborative teams and high performance underpin our requirements.
We firmly believe that our role as a Board does not involve acting in isolation. It requires a deep
understanding of the work carried out by our staff and our crucial role within the community. Our
connection to Pembrokeshire remains unwavering, and we are determined to create our own opportunities
for growth within the region.
I hope this gives you an insight into our work and the important role the Board plays in the success of the
Port of Milford Haven.
We look forward to hearing from you
Appointment description
The Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities of the Chair of MHPA are as follows:
The Chair leads and manages the business of the Board, which is the key decision making and ownership
body of the Port, fostering the Port’s desired culture and values to provide clear direction, cohesion and
focus. They set the agenda, style and tone of board discussions to promote open debate, effective
decisions, and strong levels of mutual trust, team working and collective accountability. The Chair will be
responsible for ensuring the board provides the right degree of constructive challenge to the management
team and assists the organisation’s continued strength and success. The Chair will also be responsible for
board member performance including development of board members and for ensuring that vacancies
arising on the board are filled appropriately and in-line with the port’s criteria relating to independence and
skills mix.
- Working in partnership with the Chief Executive
The Chair must establish a positive, supportive and collaborative relationship with the Chief Executive and
other senior members of the management team, acting as a trusted sounding board. Together they will set
the Board agenda and ensure the Board has access to all the information and advice it requires. The Chair
will hold the Chief Executive to account for the effective management and delivery of the Port’s strategic
aims and objectives, including the development of a high performing management team.
- Business Performance and Strategy
The Chair leads the board in overseeing the delivery of the required business performance and in ensuring
that actions and plans are aligned with a coherent long-term strategy. They will ensure that the board
contributes fully to agreeing the strategic direction and will make certain that the board has sufficient and
appropriate information to monitor performance effectively.
As well as the Chief Executive, the Chair is a key figurehead and ambassador within the organisation and as
such will play a key role in developing and sustaining effective stakeholder relations with governmental
bodies (Welsh and UK Government) within the context of a complex regulatory environment and a changing
devolution settlement. The Chair will also be called on to meet and engage with a wide variety of local
communities and other interested organisations including partners, customers and our supply chain.
The Chair will be required to lead the organisation in maintaining the highest possible standards of integrity
and probity. In support of this culture the port and the Board must have and be seen to have a robust
governance framework, with strong internal controls and audit, risk management and Health, Safety and Environmental
management processes, ensuring that the Port conducts its business in accordance with the rules of the Port
and the ‘Ports Good Governance Guidance’.
Organisation description
We are the UK's leading energy port with a busy shipping gateway handling liquid, bulk, break bulk and
heavy lift cargoes from our western UK site. A twice daily freight and passenger ferry connects the UK
and Ireland. Our development strategy is creating new opportunities in the marine renewables and
hospitality sectors.
Our drive is to be the port of choice for industry and to create lasting opportunities for our
communities.
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s largest energy port and the biggest port in Wales. A 24/7 operation,
the Port offers a range of marine services as well as owning and operating Pembroke Port, Milford Marina
and Milford Fish Docks. Activities including cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing, marina services
and cruise calls are safely and efficiently handled. The Port is a statutory harbour authority which operates
on a commercial basis, charging port fees for providing conservancy and pilotage services to the vessels
delivering or collecting products at the principal terminals located on the Milford Haven Waterway.
It also
operates port services at sites in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock, has a diverse investment portfolio and
a strengthening interest in the Hospitality and Tourism sector. As a Trust Port, the Port does not have
shareholders. All profit is retained and is available for re-investment into the business in support of its
strategy. The Port, as a commercial entity in active competition with all other ports, is financed through
retained profits and conventional bank lending. At the Group level, the Port finished 2022 with £7.7m of
cash.
The Port has access to a flexible credit facility which gives access to additional funding if required, hence we
are well placed to continue re-investment into our trading base, react to opportunities that present
themselves and maintain business-critical assets as the need arises. Created by an Act of Parliament in 1958,
the Port of Milford Haven celebrates 65 years of operations this year building on an established legacy of
port services and for its fishing and military histories.
Regulation of appointment
This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the
Commissioner’s website Essential criteria
Candidates with the integrity, independence and broad experience required of a Chair are sought.
The successful candidate will be capable of adding value across a range of strategic and organisational issues. In short, they will contribute fully as a rounded and experienced leader and board member.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following competencies.
1. Commercial experience and acumen
- Board-level executive experience within a substantial commercial private sector business and a strong track record of success.
- Non-executive track record in a commercial business.
2. Personal commitment and integrity
- Integrity in all personal and business dealings.
- Ability to focus on achievements and outcomes.
- Ability to be objective about what is best for MHPA and its business.
3. Governance
- An understanding of the difference between governance and management issues
- A strong track record of ensuring an organisation meets the highest standards of governance in a large commercial organisation where accountability to the public is a key concern as well as accountability for financial performance.
- Experience of managing operational commercial financial and other risks within an organisation
4. Leadership and team working
- Ability to facilitate constructive board discussion and lead the board in effective team working, ensuring that all contribute to the fullest extent of their ability and knowledge.
- Ability to ensure the board maintains strong collective responsibility and cohesion.
- Proven commitment to fostering diverse teams, and engaged, collaborative. performance cultures.
5. Communications
- Ability to recognise the motivations of, and relate to, a wide variety of players including government
bodies, customers, owners, competitors, employees and other groups/port users.
- Ability to communicate with external and internal parties clearly, concisely and with conviction and
through such communication to influence and persuade others.
- Ability to judge correctly and act on the political impact of actions and statements.
6. Stakeholder Relations and Personal Network
- Ability to build and establish effective relationships and networks at a senior level with major international
corporations and with public sector stakeholders.
- Demonstrable ability to build effective relationships with key players and influencers in relation to
devolution issues.
- Proven ability to maintain personal and board independence from any single or multiple sets of
stakeholders.
- Understanding of the Wales/UK political and business landscape and dynamics.
7. Strategic ability
- Ability to drive the development and implementation of strategy within a major commercial business.
- Ability to see the strengths and weaknesses of MHPA and how decisions will impact on the organisation
and its potential future.
- Ability to identify and act upon opportunities and threats.
8. Intellectual and decision-making ability
- Strong track record of making informed business, strategic and financial decisions on a basis that takes
due account of and mitigates risk.
- Develop rational and logical positions with the ability to listen, process, understand and contribute
articulately to debate.
Desirable criteria
Desirable additional experience sought
1. Prior experience as Chair.
2. Experience/expertise in one of the following would be desirable:
a. High hazard/ safety related industry
b. Maritime and/or marine related matters
c. Environmental issues/ Green energy/ renewables experience
d. Other related field
