FEATURE
Making waves – Charlie is leading on ambitious growth plans for the Port of Middlesbrough and AV Dawson Group .
right , and he ’ ll continue to be a driving force .” While Gary and John concentrate more on the property side – supporting new property and legal director , Gareth Jones – Charlie ’ s main focus will be on establishing the new operating companies as independent , sustainable businesses .
He ’ s in for a busy time , with new opportunities flooding in as the business diversifies .
Historically , steel has dominated , but the long-term strategy is to reduce reliance on any one sector .
For example , a new waste processing facility was recently built for WasteKnot Energy to turn industrial plastics into small green pellets that will be exported worldwide as a replacement for coal .
Other tenants include Prysmian Group , which uses the site as its northern European base for equipping vessels with cable and equipment to build offshore wind farms .
The main site now has freeport status and another eight acres of land at Riverside Park Industrial Estate have been bought to expand the freeport operations . The new role may be daunting , but Charlie knows there ’ s a wealth of experience at his disposal , along with a commitment to grow emerging talent through a new Leadership Academy .
Meanwhile , the business continues to be a major supporter of the community , including last year ’ s launch of the Maurice Dawson Fund , which gives grants to local good causes .
To underpin it all , Gary – with Charlie ’ s help – recently defined a “ just cause ” mission statement to enable employees to understand the purpose of the organisation .
It reads : “ Together we honour , protect and inspire to build a lasting legacy .”
As he looks down from the window at the hive of activity below , Charlie describes it as a “ privilege ” to be not only telling the story but playing an increasingly important part .
“ I want young people to see this view and be inspired to pursue careers here on Teesside , knowing they can be part of a special history and a bright future ,” he says .
It started with a man , a horse and a cart full of coal . How proud – and amazed – Arthur Vernon Dawson would be .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 31