“ If I ’ ve learned anything , it ’ s the value of surrounding yourself with people who are better than you are – that way , you make the right decisions ,
and get the right results .”
– Frans Calje
international trade .
December saw 238,000 tonnes handled at Teesport Bulks Terminal , the largest amount since August 2015 , and the company announced it had signed option agreements with Wentworth Clean Power worth more than £ 660m , with up to 650 jobs being created during construction and once operational .
Being able to welcome Adelheid-S – the largest ever container vessel at Teesport – was another memorable moment , but the biggest highlight for Frans was the way PD Ports ’ employees rose to every challenge .
When the pandemic took a grip , the company ’ s Business Continuity Management Committee was invoked , chaired by head of police and security , Neal Armstrong , and it speaks volumes about the people-first culture of the business that Frans was told , unceremoniously , that his involvement was not required .
“ We believe in empowering people to take responsibility , and that ’ s what they did ,” he smiles . The committee ’ s message was that the most valuable role the CEO could play was to allay the anxieties that had inevitably surfaced among the workforce .
“ People were naturally worried about losing their jobs , their loved ones , and their own lives ,” Frans explains . “ My job was to reassure them that their jobs were safe , and by talking about the strength of the businesses , I could at least take that worry away .”
Meanwhile , there was a renewed focus on mental health , with a dedicated awareness week to challenge the stigma , and encourage employees to open up if they were suffering .
No staff were furloughed , and reassurances were given that anyone affected by Covid would remain on full pay , irrespective of whether they were able to come into work . “ Maybe there was some initial scepticism about whether people would take advantage , but that never happened ,” says Frans .
“ It was a case of ‘ This is a business that looks after me , so I ’ m going to do everything I can to look after the business .’ It created a buzz and solidified the sense of belonging .”
The staff embraced being on the frontline , proudly aware that they were making an economic difference , not just locally , but regionally and nationally .
Knowing that small businesses were struggling , PD Ports also reinforced all existing commercial arrangements , and ensured invoices were paid on time .
The overall response to the pandemic led to the British Chamber of Commerce awarding PD Ports the “ UK Business Hero ” stamp , and staff were given a bonus at the end of the year as a thank you for their extraordinary efforts .