Peel Ports appoints new chief operating officer

UK port operator Peel Ports Group has appointed Audrey Dolhen as chief operating officer, unitised, bringing more than 20 years of international shipping and logistics experience to the business.

Audrey joins from ZIM Shipping, where she served as managing director of its UK business.

She previously spent two decades with CMA CGM, holding senior commercial and leadership positions around the world, including managing director for India, chief commercial officer for China and managing director for the UK.

In her new role, Audrey will join Peel Ports Group’s executive board and bring together its Irish Sea container and RoRo operations across Liverpool, Dublin and Heysham.

These businesses collectively handle more than 1.4 million units of cargo annually for major shipping lines and freight operators.

Audrey said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Peel Ports Group at a time when there is such a clear opportunity to build on the strong foundations already in place across our unitised markets.

“Having spent my career working with shipping lines and customers around the world, I understand what drives their decisions and what they need from their port partners.

“Across our Irish Sea container and RoRo businesses, I see significant potential to grow volumes, strengthen customer relationships and attract new services by combining operational excellence with a truly customer-focused approach.”

Audrey’s appointment forms part of Peel Ports’ long-term growth strategy and adds extensive international trade experience to its senior leadership team.

David Huck, chief operating officer, ports and marine, will continue to lead the strategic development of the group’s other port and Statutory Harbour Authority activities, which collectively handle around 40 million tonnes of cargo each year.

Claudio Veritiero, chief executive at Peel Ports Group, added: “Audrey brings extensive international shipping experience and a valuable customer perspective to our executive board.

“Her understanding of global shipping markets, combined with her track record of leading complex businesses and high-performing teams, will be hugely valuable as we look to accelerate growth across our unitised operations.

“This appointment strengthens our leadership team and reflects our ambition to build on the significant opportunities across our Irish Sea container and RoRo businesses, while continuing to deliver the levels of service and operational excellence our customers expect.”

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