MEMBER NEWS: Port of Aberdeen strengthens leadership team with strategic appointments

March 18, 2024
MEMBER NEWS: Port of Aberdeen strengthens leadership team with strategic appointments

Port of Aberdeen today (15 March 2024) announces strategic appointments to its leadership team as it targets growth in the energy, trade, and tourism sectors:

• John Wilson promoted to Head of Engineering, joining the Executive Leadership Team.
• Benji Morrison is welcomed as the new Harbour Master
• Peter Suttie promoted to Operations Manager

John Wilson has been appointed as Head of Engineering after serving in the role on an interim basis. His engineering experience and expertise spans 35 years, having worked at Arch Henderson prior to joining the port in 2015. John will lead the engineering and maintenance strategy, aligning it with Port of Aberdeen’s strategic priorities.

Benji Morrison joins the port with over 20 years’ experience in port management and marine operations, most recently as Assistant Harbour Master at Stornoway Port. As Harbour Master, he will manage the Marine department and be responsible for ensuring relevant statutory requirements are met for safe navigation.

Peter Suttie, previously serving as Deputy Operations Manager and then Interim Operations Manager, takes up the role of Operations Manager. He joined the port in 2016 as a Vessel Traffic Services Assistant and is now responsible for the safe and effective delivery of quayside operations.

Additionally, Lewis Matheson has been promoted to Deputy Harbour Master, while Natalie Shaw and Ralph Grieg have been promoted to the newly established positions of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Supervisor and Pilotage Supervisor, respectively.

Port of Aberdeen handles 7,000 vessels annually, accounting for 45% of Scotland’s total vessel traffic. Spanning 7,600 metres of quayside and extensive operational areas, it serves a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, offshore wind, cruise, cargo, and more.

Bob Sanguinetti, CEO, Port of Aberdeen, said: “I am delighted to welcome my colleagues to their new roles. As a national strategic asset, Port of Aberdeen has a crucial role to play in driving Scotland’s growth in energy, trade, and tourism and decarbonising the UK maritime sector. To achieve this, we need safe and efficient marine services, alongside operational excellence, and world-class infrastructure. The leadership of John, Benji, and Peter will be crucial in our pursuit of these objectives.

“These internal promotions demonstrate our commitment to develop and invest in our people so they are empowered with the values and capability to create and deliver prosperity for generations. It’s an exciting time to be at Port of Aberdeen!”

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AREG has played an important role in the growth of Scotland’s renewable energy sector, engaging the supply chain and developing the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. However, we are only at the very beginning of the transition that AREG was established to both lead and support so there are still opportunities for companies to get into the constantly evolving renewables supply chain. We look forward to continuing our work together as renewables builds on its place as Scotland’s main source of power, and as we seek to deliver real change in the crucial areas of heat and transport.

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Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has worked closely with AREG since its formation. The recent progress in the developments of offshore wind projects by Equinor and Vattenfall are as a result of the work of the group over many years. The north-east is known as the oil and gas capital of Europe. At the Chamber, we believe the region must evolve its position to being recognised as the energy capital. Whilst hydrocarbons will continue to be essential in driving our economy for years to come, the generation of renewable resources will play an increasingly important role in providing cost-effective power, innovative development and economic growth.

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Aberdeen City and Shire is emerging as a key location for renewables by successfully transferring its world-class oil and gas expertise into the sector and AREG has done much to advance this through a broad range of initiatives. It has acted as a catalyst in driving further investment in the local economy by engaging with companies, Government, public bodies and existing projects and we have been pleased to support their efforts. Scottish Enterprise will continue to engage with AREG as we increase Scotland’s use of renewable energy.

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