ONE of the key managers at the Port of Tilbury has taken on an expanded role within the wider Forth Ports organisation, though he will continue to run the local port's London Container Terminal.

Ross McKissock has been appointed as Director of Unitised, responsible for integrating the commercial team on unitised container and trailer cargo across the Group and growing volume. Ross will retain his responsibilities for running London Container Terminal and will continue to report to Paul Dale, Asset & Site Director at the Port of Tilbury.

Mr McKissock's new role is one of three senior managerial changes announced by Forth Ports, which which owns and operates eight commercial ports in the UK, as it restructures its senior team to reflect the increasing importance of its ports in the offshore renewables sector and the general supply chain.

David Webster has been appointed as Director of Energy. Mr Webster will be responsible for integrating Forth Ports' energy team in Scotland with a view to building on Forth Ports' strong market position in the energy sector, and in particular, offshore renewables. He will report directly to CEO, Charles Hammond, and will retain his existing responsibilities as Senior Port Manager responsible for the ports of Dundee and Leith, where Forth Ports is currently constructing a £40m offshore renewables hub.

And Derek Knox has been appointed as Head of Operations Scottish Ports. Derek will have strategic and operational responsibility for delivering quality performance and maximum efficiency across Forth Ports' Scottish Ports. He will retain his specific responsibilities as Senior Port Manager at the Port of Grangemouth.

Commenting on the new senior roles, Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: "These new senior positions come at a key time when we are focusing our business on the important areas of offshore renewables, containerised cargo and a resilient supply chain. As a group we are investing significantly across the business in these areas including our bespoke renewables hubs in Leith and Dundee and our freeport freight hub in the Thames.

"I have worked with David, Ross and Derek for a number of years, and I am confident they will make an even stronger contribution to the continued development of Forth Ports in their new roles."