Humber Freeport has appointed Simon Green as its permanent chief executive, with the board line-up now confirmed.
The company behind the new economic lever for the Energy Estuary is now fully set, with the former North Lincolnshire Council deputy CEO having served in an interim role since April.
He navigated the organisation through the successful launch period, and last month told The Waterline Summit how almost £1 billion of investment, with 500 to 600 jobs have already been secured. It puts the Humber top of the government’s list for initial performance, with the team a leading force behind successful lobbying to win benefit extensions through to 2031 in the Autumn Statement.
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Mr Green will lead delivery of the company’s work to attract significant investment and its core workstreams of innovation, decarbonisation and skills.
Humber Freeport chair Simon Bird, ABP’s regional director, said: “The announcement of Simon as our permanent CEO, together with confirmation of our board membership, marks another key step forward for Humber Freeport.
“Simon has steered the organisation’s development successfully over the past few months. His permanent appointment recognises the excellent progress that has been made in that time and the considerable experience and expertise he brings to the role.
“We’re also delighted to have brought together an excellent board, made up of highly-respected private and public sector leaders who have the collective skills, knowledge and passion to support our ambitions. These are exciting times for the Humber, as we look to maximise the region’s huge potential and attract transformative inward investment driving economic growth and job creation.”
Mr Green brings more than 30 years’ experience in development and corporate governance to the role, having worked for public and private sector organisations in the North, Midlands and abroad. He has overseen major projects, including in the fields of housing, transport, energy and higher education.
More recently, he has taken on corporate culture and governance roles, and throughout his career has strived to “build alignment and partnership working as the bedrock of achievement”.
He said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundations which have already been laid by Humber Freeport in securing significant inward investment and shaping the skills, decarbonisation and innovation agendas. The Humber has a compelling role to play in UK Plc, driving economic growth as a global gateway for trade and investment, and leading the drive for industrial decarbonisation.
“Working closely with our chair and board members, and with regional partners, I’m looking forward to continuing to harness the benefits of freeport status to unlock new opportunities for investment and growth.”
Humber Freeport was launched earlier this year, with the aim of driving hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and creating at least 7,000 new jobs.
Since its launch, significant investments have been announced in Humber Freeport tax sites in Hull and Goole.
Finnish company Metsä Tissue has revealed plans to build the UK’s largest tissue paper mill in Goole, creating more than 400 jobs on site, while at Saltend Chemicals Park – part of the Hull East tax site – Pensana is investing more than £150 million in rare earth processing facility, while Meld Energy plans to invest £180 million in a green hydrogen production facility. Pensana is also looking at further expansion on Yorkshire Energy Park.
The board, headed by Mr Bird, comprises of Jo Barnes, managing director of Sewell Estates; Carolina Borgstrom, director of economy, environment and infrastructure at North East Lincolnshire Council; Alex Codd, assistant director for economic development and regeneration at Hull City Council; Prof Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor, University of Lincoln; Alan Menzies, executive director of planning and economic regeneration and acting chief executive of East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Stephen Parnaby OBE, deputy chair of Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership; Patrick Pogue, group director, growth and innovation, at PX Group and Marcus Walker, development director at Able UK.
Further private sector appointments to the board are to be made.
