Interim CEO appointed to complete work to set up Humber Freeport company

‘EXCITING TIMES AHEAD’: The Port of Hull

By Rick Lyon

The team behind the Humber Freeport has announced a key interim appointment.

Following the recent announcement of Government approval for the Humber Freeport, subject to conditions, the final stages are being reached in establishing a new company to run the Freeport.

As part of this process, David Gwynne, who has been the lead officer of the Freeport as Bid Director from the early stages of the bidding process, will move on to other projects.

While the recruitment process for a new permanent CEO of the Freeport company is underway, Simon Green, Deputy Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council, has agreed to take on the role of Interim CEO.

NEW INTERIM CEO: Simon Green

It will be Simon’s role, over the course of the summer, to complete the set-up of the company and address the conditions the Government has set for final approval. Simon has been seconded into the Interim CEO role while retaining his position at North Lincolnshire Council.

Simon Bird, Humber Freeport Chair, and Director, Humber Ports, for Associated British Ports (ABP), said: “I would like to thank David Gwynne for the professional, dedicated and vital role he has played in the Humber Freeport project.

“His work has been instrumental in the successful bidding process. As an ex-ABP employee, we brought David into the Freeport as part of ABP’s leadership role in the partnership and that leadership helped to achieve officially the country’s best Freeport bid.

“There are exciting times ahead as the Freeport company is established and I am delighted that Simon Green has agreed to lead these final stages of inception.

“Simon brings with him a wealth of experience, which will be hugely helpful in ensuring that the Freeport is ready to do the exciting work of bringing new jobs and investment to the region.”

Simon Green said: “I welcome the opportunity to take the company through to the next stages in establishing what will be a powerful economic catalyst for the Humber.

“Once fully trading, investment and jobs will flow and reinforce the Humber’s position as the pre-eminent trading and energy cluster in north west Europe.”