PORT AUTHORITY MAKES DIRECTOR AND BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Milford Haven Port Authority has strengthened its senior management team by appointing Joe Besch as commercial director. In addition, Tom Kovar, general manager for Chevron’s Pembroke refinery, has been appointed as a non-executive director to the board.

Joe’s remit is to develop the Authority’s commercial interests, which include ship repair, port, dock and marina operations as well as a significant commercial property portfolio. His current focus is to develop opportunities that will capitalise on a recent land acquisition that has extended the operational capacity at Pembroke Port by a further 23 acres.

He joins the Authority from MDS Transmodal Ltd, an independent ports and shipping consultancy based in Chester, where his responsibilities included port development projects, port marketing studies and freight transport projects for port authorities, property developers and local authorities in the UK and overseas.

A member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, he began his career at sea before working for Associated British Ports and the Port of Newport.

He said: “I am very excited to be joining the Port Authority at this dynamic time in its 50 year history. I have been in the industry for years now and always look forward to a new challenge.”

Tom Kovar, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began his career as a designs engineer at the Chevron refineries across the state and overseas. Before taking his role with Milford Haven, he was general manager of the refinery in Hawaii.

“My journey to Pembrokeshire has taken me around the world, and I look forward to being able to give the Port Authority board the benefit of my experience,” he said.

Milford Haven Port Authority celebrates its golden jubilee this year, and with 20% of the UK’s petrol and diesel provisions already being handled on the waterway, as well as potential 30% of the UK’s gas requirements once both LNG terminals are operational, Milford Haven is soon to become the new energy capital of the UK.

Ted Sangster, Milford Haven Port Authority Chief Executive, said: “It is always nice to welcome new faces onto the team, and I am sure that the experience that both Joe and Tom can bring to our operations will be invaluable.”