Svitzer appoints two new UK managers

News concerning the tug and towing industry generally focuses on the sharp end of activities including the vessels themselves and the seafarers who crew them, the tasks they carry out also of interest of course. It is easy however to overlook the fact that nothing happens at sea without the shoreside team providing back-up and support, people sometime jokingly referred to as being in command of a desk.

We can now look closer at two of these supporting roles with Svitzer’s announcement that Ita Dickson has been appointed as Cluster Managing Director UK North with Andrew Coles taking up the similar role of Cluster Managing Director UK South, both candidates were selected internally.

Ita Dickson has over 20 years’ experience in the marine service industry. Four years ago, she joined Svitzer as Operational and Commercial Controller in Belfast and in 2017 took up the position of Port Manager in London, the largest of Svitzer’s UK operations and its largest operation in Europe with over 8,000 towage acts annually and employing over 80 people.

Speaking about her appointment Ms Dickson said: “I am pleased but humble to take on this challenge. Based in Liverpool, I look forward to drive our business forward in the North. There are a lot of opportunities for us to deliver even better service and improve our organisational setup.”

Andrew Coles OBE, only recently joined Svitzer as Port Manager in the Bristol Channel. His naval experience and leadership skills stand on an impressive 38-year career in the Royal Navy where he recently served as a nuclear submarine commander.

Talking about his own new role Mr Coles said: “This role is the perfect mix between commercial focus and leadership to ensure that our onshore staff and tug crews all pull in the same direction, motivated to deliver impeccable service to all our customers. I am delighted to have the opportunity along with Ita Dickson to play a key part in making that happen and look forward to working closely with our impressive and dedicated shore teams and crews.”

By Peter Barker