'Vital role' - Port of Tyne appoints three new board members after catastrophic dockside spill
The new board members bring experience from sectors including energy, engineering, technology, healthcare and retail.
South Tyneside’s port operator has appointed three new board members as it seeks to steady the ship after a catastrophic dockside accident.
The Port of Tyne has announced Ann Cormack MBE, Sarat Pediredla and Mark Simpson have joined its operations as it also looks to build sustainable growth.
Port boss Julia Prescot CBE said they would bring experience from sectors including energy, engineering, technology, healthcare, retail and supply chain operations.
Ms Cormack has held senior leadership roles across international energy and engineering and with the government.
Mr Pediredla is a North East technology entrepreneur and digital leader, while Mr Simpson has lengthy experience in retail, logistics and technology.
Their appointments come two months after a worker was injured when his dock crane was knocked over when two vessels collided on the Tyne on Sunday, July 19.
The accident led to an estimated one billion plastic balls, known as nurdles, being spilled into the river.
Many were washed up on the region’s beaches, leading to a major clean-up operation and calls for better safety measures.
Ms Cormack spent 20 years with oil giant Shell before working with the government and becoming chief executive of a biofuels joint venture co-owned by BP.
She later joined Rolls-Royce as Director International and went on to become Global Executive Head of HR for the De Beers Group.
And she now holds several non-executive positions, including as Independent Non-Executive Director at Envipco and Non-Executive Director at Elexon.
In 2007, Mr Pediredla co-founded Newcastle-based digital consultancy Hedgehog Lab and led it until he stepped down as chief executive last year.
He grew it from a two-person start-up into a company employing around 150 people and working with clients ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100 organisations.
Mr Pediredla recently launched LevelFive, an AI-native digital product studio focused on helping businesses design and deliver software products.
He is also a Non-Executive Director at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, where he chairs the Information Management and Technology Committee.
Mr Simpson is managing director of Simpson Retail Advisory, which supports businesses looking to improve performance through technology and operational excellence.
Before establishing his consultancy, he spent more than 25 years with ASDA, including five years as a member of its Executive Committee.
He led major transformation programmes, delivered operational improvements and oversaw technology integration across a complex national supply chain.
His experience in logistics, infrastructure and business transformation will support the Port as it develops its operations and infrastructure for the future.
Of their appointments, Ms Prescot said: “We are delighted to welcome Ann, Sarat and Mark to the Port of Tyne Board.
“As the Port continues to invest in its future and deliver our plans for sustainable growth and innovation, their expertise will be invaluable in helping us seize new opportunities and ensure the Port continues to play a vital role in the economic future of the North East.”