Claudio Veritiero to head Peel Ports in management shuffle

UK port operator and owner Peel Ports has appointed Claudio Veritiero (above) as its new chief executive when current CEO Mark Whitworth moves up to become the company’s chairman on 4 April 2022.

Current chairman Tom Allison is standing down from the role, but will remain on the board “representing shareholder interests of Peel Group as a non-executive director”.

Mr Veritiero joined Peel Ports last year as chief operating officer, after previously serving as chief operating officer of construction and infrastructure provider Kier Group.

Prior to that he held roles as chief operating officer of Speedy Hire and in the investment banking advisory division of Rothschild & Co.

“One of my priorities will be to take stock of the changing needs of our customers and the port communities in which we operate so that we can further enhance our offering and customer experience,” he said.

“Ports are a vital catalyst for the whole economy, not just the supply chain, with a crucial role to play in creating jobs and enabling economic regeneration.

“I look forward to working closely with the leadership teams across the business, our customers and our commercial and community partners, as we deliver the next phase of our growth journey,” he added.

Mr Whitworth (below) was appointed chief executive in 2010 and has overseen a £1.2bn investment programme over the last decade that has included the £400m development of Peel’s flagship Liverpool2 deepwater container terminal, the £100m construction of a biomass import terminal for the Drax Group, as well as the acquisitions of the Port of Great Yarmouth and Quality Freight, since rebranded as Peel Ports Logistics.

“This has been a transformational period for the business and one that has enabled the group to create thousands of high value jobs within our existing and new facilities,” he said.

“Given that stability in the company leadership has been a cornerstone of our success, the changes we are announcing today have been two years in the planning to ensure a smooth transition.

“The time is right for change and Claudio will be integral to making that change happen as he leads the business into an exciting new era,” he added.

During his tenure, group profitability has risen three-fold, the company said.

Tom Allison was appointed chief executive of Clydeport in 1997 and subsequently led the creation of Peel Ports Group in 2003.

He then combined the role of CEO and chairman, overseeing the acquisition of Mersey Docks and Harbour Company in 2005.

“Tom has been an outstanding mentor throughout his time with our group and has overseen an unprecedented period of success,” Mr Whitworth said.

“His business acumen and strategic counsel have been critical over the last 25 years and we are privileged to have him continuing to support the company as a non-executive director,” he added.