Wightlink appoints a new mainland Port Operations Manager

Wightlink’s new head of mainland port operations is happy to swap force eleven typhoons in the mid-Pacific for the calmer waters of the Solent.

That is not to say Arron Taylor is not relishing meeting the day-to-day challenges of managing Wightlink’s three busy mainland transport hubs at Lymington, Portsmouth Gunwharf and Portsmouth Harbour.

Arron, 36, of Hedge End, Southampton, joins Wightlink after being part of the leadership team in the project to establish the DP World London Gateway deep sea port and logistical park in Stanford le Hope, Essex. Prior to that he was a terminal controller at DP World’s port at Southampton.

He joined DP World having spent 18 months at sea on P&O Nedlloyd container vessels as part of his degree in merchant shipping operations from Southampton Solent University. It was during this time that he found himself in tempestuous high seas in the Pacific.

“Being out in conditions that severe and so far from land was something I will never forget,” says Arron. “Sleeping was the hardest part as you would find yourself tipped out of bed three or four times a night.”

Though weather conditions will be calmer in the Solent, Arron knows the complexities of running three busy Hampshire ports will keep him extremely busy. “My previous leadership experience will stand me in good stead for the new role and I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“As a Hampshire man I am familiar with all the ports and I am already enjoying the work involved in their day to day running. As a child I often visited the Isle of Wight too and I am already being reminded of what a special place it is.”

Arron and his wife Rebecca have a young son, Ernie. Arron is also a former retained fireman and in his spare time he enjoys running and playing rugby.

The appointment of a Hampshire man to oversee the running of Wightlink’s mainland ports follows the equivalent appointment of Martin Gulliver from the Isle of Wight to run the day-to-day port operations at Ryde, Fishbourne and Yarmouth.

Picture caption, Wightlink Port Operations Managers Martin Gulliver and Arron Taylor

For more information, contact Karen Woods on 07775 694266 or [email protected]