SYDNEY harbour master Captain Philip Holliday has been appointed chief executive and director of the Port Authority of New South Wales.
The announcement was made by PANSW chair Robert Dunn.
Mr Holliday is to lead PANSW in managing the navigation, security and operational safety needs of commercial trade and cruise shipping in Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle Harbour, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba.
Mr Dunn praised Mr Holliday’s contribution to date.
“As Sydney harbour master and chief operating officer, Mr Holliday has shown great leadership at the Port Authority and a steadfast commitment to providing the safest and most efficient marine services in our ports,” Mr Dunn said.
“Mr Holliday’s appointment is the next step in a long and successful career in the maritime industry.”
Mr Holliday joined PANSW in 2011 and he has been fulfilling the role of acting CEO following an announcement in September that Grant Gilfillan would step down after 12 years at the helm.
Starting his maritime career as a cadet with Ropner Shipping Services, Mr Holliday moved on to Souter Shipping where he gained his Class 1 (FGN) Masters certificate.
In 1998, Mr Holliday joined Associated British Ports, the UK’s largest port operator, in a port operations role, becoming the harbour master for the ABP Port of Southampton and Marine Advisor for the group’s 21 UK ports.
On moving to Australia, Mr Holliday became chair of Ports Australia’s Port Operations Working Group and helped develop the Australian Port Marine Safety Management Guidelines.
“Mr Holliday’s operational and commercial experience in the maritime industry will serve him well as CEO and I am confident that he will take the Port Authority into a new era,” Mr Dunn said.
The appointment follows a recruitment process that was undertaken to fulfil the position of CEO and Director by the Board of the Port Authority of NSW and their recommendation was endorsed by the NSW government.
A recruitment process to fill the roles of Sydney harbour master and chief operating officer is set to begin.
