A PORT TO BE
‘ Our people are our engine ’ says PD Ports boss
Asset – The entrance to Teesport .
As the largest private employer in the Tees Valley , PD Ports continues to play a pivotal role in positioning the region at the forefront of the government ’ s levelling up agenda , driving sustainability , embracing opportunity and delivering real , sustainable jobs .
Despite the lingering challenges in the wake of the pandemic , the port operator at the helm of Teesport , a national asset and the UK ’ s northern gateway for international trade , is confidently driving forward its bold expansion plans for 2022 while continuing to grow its business and its contribution to both the Tees Valley and the rest of the UK .
In doing so , PD Ports has also taken important steps towards achieving its long-term vision to establish the River Tees as the UK ’ s most successful port region by 2050 , hitting key milestones over the last 12 months and enjoying a multitude of successes .
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The plans set out in Future Teesport included PD Ports ’ strong leadership from the outset , support and commitment to ensuring the Tees Valley achieved the strongest possible freeport bid with the aim of securing extensive new investment in high-end
Proud – PD Ports CEO Frans Calje .
manufacturing , leading to long-term , secure and well-paid jobs for local people .
Reflecting on the granting of freeport status to the region , PD Ports CEO Frans Calje said : “ We were delighted to see results of this commitment in March 2021 when we welcomed the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer to Teesport to announce the Tees Valley Combined Authority ’ s successful freeport bid . This is a key milestone in delivering our shared ambition to create 38,000 new jobs and add
£ 3.2bn to the economy within the next three decades .
“ This builds on our long-standing commitment to supporting the regeneration of the South Bank Development , now known as Teesworks , which has also included contributing parcels of land to support access arrangements in and out of the Teesworks site .”
PD Ports is led proudly by Frans who , as well as being voted the region ’ s most inspiring business leader in an annual Tees Business poll recently , has been bestowed an OBE in the Queen ’ s Birthday Honours for