Job Description
Remunerated at £53,060 per annum for circa 1 day per week, and based at Maritime House, Tyne Dock, South Shields, NE34 9PT. This is a public appointment made by the Secretary of State for Transport, with a three-year tenure and the potential for renewal.
Welcome to the Port of Tyne, and thank you for your interest in becoming our next Chair of the Board.
As the largest UK trust port, we are an independent statutory body governed by our own unique local legislation. Playing a significant role in the UK economy and infrastructure, our primary duty is to manage, maintain, develop and improve the Port for the benefit of an increasingly wide stakeholder community. We are also the custodian and steward of the River Tyne.
We also take our responsibility to the community seriously and play an active role in the region. In 2024, we added £680m to the GVA of the regional economy of the North East and supported 12,000 jobs. We also host the UK's first maritime Innovation Hub, and our next phase of development will see the Port underlining the role of the Hub as an engine for true sector growth and change.
Under our current Chair, we have undergone a sustained programme of diversification, development and investment to ensure the Port's future as a vibrant, sustainable business, able to respond to changing customer needs. Our long term strategy, Tyne 2050, is fully aligned with the national strategy, Maritime 2050, and the North East Economic Plan, which focuses on the development of long-term commercial sustainability and growth through technology innovation and customer partnerships.
As our current Chair completes their third term of office in June 2026, we are seeking a credible, influential and trusted successor to lead our Board through the next era of investment and development.
Our new Chair will lead a collegiate Board of Non-executive Directors drawn from the region and a wide range of sectors. You will oversee and keep under review the Port's Strategy 2050, with an eye on longer-term investment plans needed to meet growing demand. You will foster the Port's relationship with a range of stakeholders at regional, national and international levels. The Chair also works closely with the Executive to maintain and promote the Port's role as a commercially successful and strategically important international gateway that also contributes to the local economy.
This role requires strong senior, strategic leadership skills and business experience gained in organisations of comparable complexity and exposure with the ability to inspire, motivate and guide others. You will be a confident, clear-sighted and skilled strategic leader who understands the value of the Port as an increasingly significant part of our industrial, social and economic fabric, not just in the North East but in the UK and globally. Sound judgement, personal presence and strong team leadership skills are naturally essential for this appointment.
If you can offer Port of Tyne the experience and qualities we are looking for, we look forward to hearing from you. To find out more and to apply, please visit:
The closing date for applications is midnight, Monday 8th December 2025.
We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and appoint on merit. Applications will be considered under the Disability Confident scheme.
