Peel Ports

Peel Ports Group is the second largest port operator in the UK, managing the vital gateways which feed, build and power the nation. Headquartered in Liverpool and with over £1bn invested in infrastructure over the last decade, they represent a major employer in the North West, as well as a crucial component in the UK's supply chain, handling over 70m tonnes of cargo every year.

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Port Director

In 2020, as the world was wrestling with the impacts of the global pandemic, the UK ports industry and their thousands of key workers were working day and night to keep the wheels of industry turning and maintain crucial supplies to the country. In Liverpool, the group required a new Port Director to lead port operations across the Mersey business, and retained Sherrington Associates as the executive search partner to carry out a targeted search of the ports sector and adjacent markets.

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The Search

Sherrington's team invested time up-front with senior stakeholders at Peel including their Managing Director, HR and Talent teams, together developing a clear recruitment brief and project plan. With the primary search objective being to assemble a diverse shortlist of exceptional operational leaders with knowledge and understanding of global logistics and the UK supply chain, our team set to work carrying out in-depth desk research. Having recruited senior leaders in the ports and shipping industries for decades, as well as conducting cold desk research, the team also tapped into our extensive network of senior shipping and ports professionals who provided crucial intelligence on the talent landscape both in the UK and across Europe. Referrals and recommendations from trusted sources provided quick access to high-calibre candidates, meanwhile our researchers approached relevant candidates in the passive market, engaging their interest in the Port Director opportunity.

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Result

Having assembled a shortlist of senior leaders from both the immediate ports and shipping sector, as well as relevant aligned industries such as advanced manufacturing, engineering and construction, the shortlist was assessed using biographical and competency interviewing techniques, and a report was provided to the client. Supporting their interview and selection process over several crucial stages, finally a candidate was selected and appointed. Relocating from Portugal to join the organisation, the candidate left behind a longstanding senior leadership career in another logistics business to join Peel and run their Mersey operation. Commenting on the search, Sherrington's Founder & MD, Rob McKay said...