Falmouth Harbour appoints two new Harbour Board Directors

Falmouth Harbour has welcomed new Commissioners Andy Wright and Kay Penney to its Board © Falmouth Harbour

Falmouth Harbour has appointed two high calibre professionals as Non-Executive Directors to its Board of Commissioners to help shape current strategy and future prosperity for one of the UK's premier Harbours.

Global HR Director Kay Penney, and local government expert and former local authority leader Andy Wright bring a great set of skills - and a passion for Cornwall - to the business.

"The Falmouth Harbour Board team has significant responsibility for managing our Trust Port which has statutory responsibility for the safety, navigation and conservation of approximately 65 square miles of harbour area," says Falmouth Harbour Chief Executive Miles Carden.

"This demanding role, which requires dedication and commitment, allows the Board to make a very real difference. To have attracted these candidates of such high calibre to join us - with exactly the broad mix of skills and extensive senior level experience that we hoped to find - is very exciting."

For more than 150 years Falmouth Harbour as a Trust Port has managed the 3rd deepest natural harbour in the world, strategically placed on the UK's Western approaches. The Falmouth Harbour Commissioners' remit covers the operation of Falmouth Harbour, Falmouth Haven and Falmouth Pilot Services.

The two new Commissioners bring skills in people management and development along with business and government expertise - all at their highest levels - to the Falmouth Harbour Board.

Kay Penney has had a career as an HR Director with extensive global, strategic and operational experience in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

"I am excited to join the board of Falmouth Harbour and contribute to its ongoing success," she says. "Having spent my career in HR leadership and talent development, I am particularly passionate about supporting the growth of people and organisations and I look forward to helping the incredible team at Falmouth Harbour to navigate future opportunities while maintaining its vital role in the local community and economy."

Andy Wright has more than 30 years senior leadership experience in the public sector including five years as Chief Executive at Braintree District Council.

He says, "I am incredibly delighted to join the board of Falmouth Harbour and bring my experience in local government and governance to support its strategic direction. Falmouth Harbour plays a vital role in Cornwall's economy, environment, and community.

"I particularly look forward to engaging with the local community with my representative role on the Harbour Users Group and looking to help the senior leadership team at the Harbour to further improve local engagement and transparency and to build upon the hard work and progress made over the last 4-5 years."

The new appointments join the Board as Falmouth Harbour bids farewell to two long-serving and much-respected Commissioners Carrie Gilmore and Adrian Davis.

"Our Harbour Board - which is 7-strong with 35 people working in the wider Falmouth Harbour team - has the privilege of working in and steering the prosperity of one of the greatest natural harbours in the world," says Miles Carden. "Responsibility for balancing the needs of all our stakeholders and our fantastic environment comes with challenges, but it also gives us huge scope and ambition.

"As we say a huge thank you to Carrie and Adrian for their tireless dedication over the last 12 and 6 years respectively, we look forward to welcoming Kay, and Andy and working alongside them in these exciting times for Falmouth.

"It has also been great to work with local recruitment consultant Anna Jay of Public Leaders Appointments who delivered a very high-quality field of applicants. The roles were massively oversubscribed, and we thank all the candidates who took the trouble and time to apply."

For all information about Falmouth Harbour's work and environmental initiatives, its Commissioners, Falmouth Haven and Pilot Services visit www.falmouthharbour.co.uk