Guernsey Ports recruiting for “unique and exciting” opportunity
8th May 2024Guernsey Ports is recruiting for a new Managing Director to drive the business forward when current MD Colin Le Ray retires later this year.
Mr Le Ray will retire having accumulated more than 40 years’ experience with the States of Guernsey. In a public service career spanning four decades, he has held several senior roles, culminating in his appointment as Managing Director of Guernsey Ports in 2017.
The Managing Director of Guernsey Ports - which comprises Guernsey Airport, Guernsey Harbours and Alderney Airport - is responsible for the management of some of Guernsey’s most critical infrastructure, ensuring the safe and expeditious movement of vessels, aircraft, passengers, vehicles and cargo.
Guernsey Ports is a States Trading Asset with fixed assets worth approximately £235 million, annual revenues totalling around £25 million, and 280 staff.
States Trading Group Managing Director Simon Elliott said: “We are looking for an experienced and motivational leader who will drive the business forward in a commercial manner, building on the excellent foundations laid by Colin, who has worked tirelessly across the organisation for many years.
“This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development and delivery of Guernsey Ports’ long-term strategy, balancing financial sustainability and efficiency with high quality service delivery.
“Our ideal candidate will inspire a high performing culture across Guernsey Ports and promote a strong focus on the needs of customers in order to create long-term value for islanders.”
Recruitment for a new Managing Director has begun, with a view to ensuring there is a crossover period between the outgoing Mr Le Ray and his successor.
"My greatest challenge and biggest reward”
Mr Le Ray joined the States of Guernsey in 1982, initially working at States Works, before undertaking a variety of property, IT, financial and management roles working for the Board of Administration, Guernsey Telecoms and the Advisory & Finance Committee, before being appointed as Guernsey Airport Director in 2003.
In 2017, he was appointed to the role of Managing Director of Ports, which brought together the management of the Ports for the first time.
He will turn 60 in December and is looking forward to retirement and plenty more dog walking. He has also just become a grandfather for the first time.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career with the States of Guernsey,” said Mr Le Ray. “It’s been a challenge from time to time, but I have had the honour to work with some really talented civil servants over my career who have given me the skills, ability and support to navigate my way through some really exciting and interesting changes.
“I will miss the Ports and its people hugely, they have afforded me both the greatest challenge and the biggest reward in my career without doubt, but with over 40 years of service, it does feel like now is the right time to shuffle into retirement.”
Applications for the Managing Director of Guernsey Ports close on 27th May 2024.
States of Guernsey Careers: Managing Director - Guernsey Ports (91658) (successfactors.eu)