NEW CHAIRMAN FOR PORT AUTHORITY

A senior executive in the transport world with over 35 years’ international experience in ferries, railways and airlines has been appointed as the next chairman of Milford Haven Port Authority.

David Benson will take up his role in July when current chairman Bob Clarke retires from the post.

“To have the interest of someone of David’s calibre in the role of chairman is a real indication of how Milford Haven is now set to move into the big time of ports in the UK,” said Mr Clarke.

“I am delighted that he will be taking up the post on my departure and wish him well in his stewardship of the Authority as the port enters its new energy era.

“I know that his experience of all forms of transport, and especially his vast knowledge of the way in which ports around the world operate, will be a real benefit to this area.”

During his career, which began with BOAC and British Airways in the 1960s, Mr Benson has been chief executive of Venice Simplon - Orient Express, part of Sea Containers Ltd, and managing director of the Virgin Group company which included Virgin Atlantic Airways.

He returned to Sea Containers in 1990, where he undertook a number of roles. He was Senior Vice-President of Passenger Transport Division for Sea Containers, where he was the driving force behind some of the most innovative passenger and vehicle ferry services in the world. Businesses in this portfolio have included Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Hoverspeed, Silja, SeaLink and SeaStreak and Great North Eastern Railway, the operator of high-speed passenger trains services from London to Scotland.

Under Mr Benson's leadership, Sea Containers' Passenger Transport division played a leading role in pioneering the fast ferry concept and operated one of the world's largest fleets of fast-ferries from dedicated ports.

During his time with Sea Containers he was responsible for over 8,000 employees, a turnover of US$1.5 billion and assets worth US $1.3 billion.

Mr Benson holds an MA from Cambridge University and a Master of Science in Industrial Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. He is a member of the British Committee of RINA, the Italian classification society.