The chief executive of P&O Ferries Helen Deeble and Kenneth MacLeod, chairman of Stena Line (UK) have been elected president and vicepresident, respectively, of the Chamber of Shipping at its Annual General Meeting.
In her inaugural address, the president described the stability of the industry’s operating environment as being of “paramount importance”, both in terms of tax and employment.
The new president also thanked Michael Parker for his work over the past year, and highlighted two key successes the Chamber had helped achieve for the industry: the expression of Government support for tonnage tax, and the commitment to the SMarT funding scheme for the duration of this parliament. She acknowledged that carbon and sulphur emissions, anti-piracy measures, safety standards and industry training would continue to dominate as policy issues, and promised that “running through all work this year will be a true focus on the role of shipping and the maritime services cluster – and the benefits they bring to the UK economy.”
In her final comments, Helen Deeble praised a “renewed, reorganised and reinvigorated” Chamber, and looked forward to welcoming members to their new offices by the summer.
