August 25 - UK ports operator, RMS Group, has expanded its commercial team with the addition of Craig Hodgson as group commercial manager and David Allen as group business development manager.

The company says that the move is in response to the current trade boom fuelled by the burgeoning offshore wind industry based on the Humber estuary. The appointments coincide with an announcement that commercial director, Paul Crossland, will retire at the end of 2014 but continue to consult for RMS until the end of 2016.

RMS chief executive Peter Aarosin said: "Despite the downturn in the economy from 2008 through to last year, which was reflected in ports activity, the company has continued to go from strength to strength.

"Now the business is once more growing very strongly and we are looking to take further advantage of an expanding market.

"The renewable energy sector will be a huge catalyst for new trade which will bring increased business activity, employment and prosperity to the Humber over coming years.

Hodgson joins RMS from Brown McFarlane, one of the UK's largest steel suppliers, where he was international business development manager. He previously worked for Tata Steel and had global responsibility for the sale of all steel products into the energy and power industries.

Allen was previously business development manager for ports and logistics operator PD Ports.

Siemens and Associated British Ports are jointly investing GBP 310 million in offshore wind manufacturing facilities in Hull and on its eastern boundary while, on the south bank of the Humber, hopes remain high that the GBP 450 million Able Marine Energy Park will attract further investment from the rapidly-growing renewables sector.

 

Chief executive Peter Aarosin, right, with new recruits to the RMS management team, David Allen, left, and Craig Hodgson, at Goole Docks.

 

www.rms-humber.co.uk