Lerwick Port Authority''s deputy CEO Captain Calum Grains has been appointed CEO, succeeding Sandra Laurenson who will retire in November after more than 40 years'' service.
A Harbour Pilot at Lerwick from 1997-2000 before leaving to take his Master’s ticket, Captain Grains returned to the Authority as deputy harbourmaster in 2003. Promoted to harbourmaster in 2007, he also became deputy chief executive in 2014. He is a council member of the UK Harbour Masters’ Association and a board-nominated director to various companies.
Board chairman Ronnie Gair said: "Calum already has a proven track-record with the Authority and the experience to continue the port's evolution in the marketplace and infrastructure, including the current construction of a replacement white fish market and projects in planning."
First female port CEO
Laurenson joined the then Harbour Trust in 1975 and held various roles before becoming deputy general manager in 1998 - renamed deputy chief executive in 1999 when the post was created, and chief executive in 2007. Laurenson is believed to be the only female chief executive of a UK port at that time.
She is a past chairman of the Scottish Ports Committee of the British Ports Association and is nominated by the Port Authority to several external directorships.
Gair stated: "Sandra has made a remarkable contribution to the port's operation and development, and so to the Shetland economy, over more than four decades. Her input in recent years includes leading the latest major expansion of facilities, which underpin future activities across key sectors, and overseeing development of the port’s role in offshore industry decommissioning and the cruise sector."
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