FEATURE
Iconic Tees firm on the crest of a wave
Dawson ’ s peak
From humble beginnings , AV Dawson – owner and operator of Port of Middlesbrough – is building on its illustrious history to create a world-class legacy . Peter Barron talks to group managing director designate Charlie Nettle …
PICTURES : GRAEME ROWATT
F rom a vantage point above the river , Charlie Nettle has a magnificent view that frames both Teesside ’ s proud past and its vibrant future .
To his right , the Transporter Bridge straddles the Tees with reassuring authority – as it has for 112 years – while , on the horizon , wind turbines go silently about their work .
“ It ’ s an exciting time to be part of it ,” says the group managing director designate of AV Dawson , a company that embodies the resilience and innovation of Teesside .
Charlie , seven months into his new role , is looking through the window of a conference room at the back of The Staiths , AV Dawson ’ s modern head office , and marvelling at how far the business has come thanks to the Dawson family ’ s vision .
AV was Arthur Vernon , who was 18 when he founded the business in 1938 , having bought a horse and cart to sell coal around Middlesbrough ’ s streets .
In 1947 , “ Vernie ” diversified into road haulage , with wife Eleanor managing the books . Their son , Maurice , had joined from school as an apprentice fitter , and took over as joint MD , alongside his mother , when Vernie retired in 1971 .
Two years later , the business acquired Middlesbrough ’ s oldest wharf , dating back to 1830 . Originally known as Port Darlington and now Port of Middlesbrough , it became the town ’ s first industrial estate .
Maurice grew his transport fleet , expanded into shipping , and opened the company ’ s first rail terminal in the 1980s .
In 2000 , he became chairman and his son Gary , who ’ d joined the business at 22 , was made MD .
The pair were a formidable partnership , with Maurice continuing to be an inspirational figure until his death in 2016 .
Since then , Gary has grown AV Dawson into a multimodal logistics business , employing 180 people , and home to 35 tenant firms .
Now , the latest chapter is underway with a restructure that has seen Gary become chairman , and long-serving finance director , John Young , promoted to deputy chairman .
“ When Gary approached me about being group MD , I was scared , flattered , honoured and excited ,” says Charlie . “ I ’ ve got massive shoes to fill , but Gary and John will remain closely involved to support me and the rest of the board .”
Charlie ’ s quick to pass on the bulk of the credit for what ’ s been achieved to those who came before him .
Nevertheless , his elevation to the MD ’ s chair is another impressive step up the ladder for someone who insists he was “ always average ” while growing up in Salisbury .
His father , Chris , was a GP , his mother , Lynne , a nurse , and they instilled a strong work ethic in their four children . “ We had to work for every penny of pocket money ,” says Charlie .
When he “ fluffed ” his A-Levels , as he describes it , his dad gave him an ultimatum : get a job and pay rent or stay in education .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 29