04.03.2003
Experts join Port of London Authority
Two key specialists have joined the Port of London Authority as non-executive Board members. Peter Mole is a master mariner with wide operational and commercial experience in the marine industry and Jeremy Beech is an expert in emergency planning.
Peter Mole began his career at sea in 1968. He served as an officer with P&O on cargo, container and passenger ships, before joining cableship operator BT Marine. He held key positions both afloat and ashore, culminating in senior management roles at Cable & Wireless (Marine) and Global Marine.
Mr Mole has wide experience of marine operations and of other key areas including operational safety, financial management, major project management and service delivery. His career as a merchant navy officer and in management positions has also entailed close involvement in personnel and industrial relations matters.
Jeremy Beech served for many years as a fire-fighter and senior commander in the Fire Service, as Assistant Chief Fire Officer of the London Fire Brigade and later as Chief Fire Officer of Kent. His career brought extensive involvement with the maritime sector and in particular, emergency planning and incident response at ports and major industrial installations. His career also coincided with the prolonged period of terrorism in the UK. In 1988 Mr Beech was appointed to the Anglo-French Channel Tunnel Safety Authority.
As co-chairman of its Rescue and Public Safety Working Group, Mr Beech was closely involved in safety matters. He also assisted military and other agencies with tactical planning in the unique environment of the Tunnel. Following the terrorist attacks of September 2001, the UK Government’s Department for Transport appointed Mr Beech to review possible vulnerability at UK ports. This has included contributing to the work of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) and other security related projects.
Mr Beech is also Chairman of the South East Region of the Prince’s Trust. In 1991 he was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service and in 1993 he was made a CBE. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers.
Simon Sherrard, Chairman of PLA, said, "I am very pleased that Jeremy and Peter have joined the Port of London Authority. Their specialist knowledge and experience in key areas will be extremely valuable in our work to maintain the high standards of safety within the Port of London."
Further information from Martin Garside. Tel: 020 7743 7915. Email: [email protected]
Note to Editors:
The Port of London Authority (PLA) is the port authority for 93 miles (150 km) of the tidal Thames from the Estuary to Teddington. It provides navigational and pilotage services for ships using the Port of London, including the maintenance of shipping channels. The Port of London comprises over 70 independently owned terminals and port facilities, which handle a very wide range of cargoes. London is one of the UK’s top three ports and handles over 50 million tonnes of cargo each year.
