FORTH Ports' Group Chief Executive, Charles Hammond OBE, has decided to step down from his role leading the UK's third largest ports group next year.

The company runs the Port of Tilbury, a facility well known to his successor, Stuart Wallace, who is currently the company's Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Wallace, who is already a member of the Forth Ports board, will take up his appointment on 1 July 2024.

Most recently, the company set out its ambitious plans to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2042 and carbon neutrality by 2032. Forth Ports is also a major partner in both the Thames Freeport and the Forth Green Freeport. The company is also a major player in the renewable energy sector.

Commenting on his decision to step down 62-tear-old Mr Hammond, who received his OBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the UK ports industry, said: "It has been the privilege of my career to lead Forth Ports. From the significant growth of the business both sides of the border to the challenges of the Covid pandemic and Brexit, I have been fortunate enough to have been supported by the best team in the industry.

"The most consistent feature of my time at Forth Ports has been the stability that we have sought to create and, while I step down at the most exciting of times, I do so with the confidence that I will leave behind a business that is in great hands and very well positioned to continue to flourish."

Mr Wallace said: "I am proud and honoured to have been asked to lead this fantastic organisation as we face the challenges and opportunities of a just transition to net zero and the significant expansion of Scotland's renewable energy sector.

"With the great team that we have built right across the business, I am confident that Forth Ports will continue to thrive. I am immensely grateful to Charles for steering the business into such a strong position and for his mentorship and support for me personally. I look forward to the next chapter in the Forth Ports story with relish."

Patrick Samson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Assets Investments at PSP Investments, Forth Ports' principal shareholder, said: "Charles will have been CEO at Forth Ports for more than 23 years when he steps down and we are grateful for his exceptional leadership and his contributions to the company over the last 12 years of our ownership.

"As we look to the future, we are excited to see Stuart succeed Charles as CEO. With his extensive operational experience and strategic mindset, we are confident in Stuart's ability to lead Forth Ports through the next stage of its growth.

"We wish Charles all the best in this next phase of his career and look forward to continuing to work with Stuart and the broader management team."

A qualified chartered accountant, Mr Wallace, 53, joined Forth Ports in 2002, initially as Financial Controller for its Scottish region, prior to being seconded to the Port of Tilbury to run general port operations and the London Container Terminal.

He returned to Scotland in 2013 having been appointed Divisional Director for the company's Scottish operations.