UK’s Biggest Ports Group Appoints New Group Head of Health, Safety & Environment

13th October 2025

Jehan Ashmore

Sally Ford, ABP’s new Group Head of Health, Safety, and Environment, took up her position today (13 October) with the company that has 22 ports across the UK. Of those ports AFLOAT adds, eight are located on the west coast of Britain. They are (north to south): Troon and Ayr in Scotland; Barrow-in-Furness and Fleetwood, England; and Swansea, Barry, Cardiff, and Newport in Wales. Credit: ABP-Linkedin

The UK’s largest ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP), has announced the appointment of a new Group Head of Health, Safety & Environment.

Sally Ford’s appointment will help further strengthen the port company’s focus on continuous improvement in these areas.

She joins ABP from Southern Water, where she was Director of Health and Safety, Security, and Wellbeing, bringing over 30 years of health, safety, and environmental management experience in organizations that operate critical national infrastructure, including rail, telecoms, and water sectors.

Commenting on her new role, “I am a big believer that history is one of our greatest teachers, and it is fascinating to see how, as is the case with many industrial businesses, the focus on health, safety, and well-being has really shifted from seeing them as ‘nice to haves’ to ‘non-negotiable.’”

“I look forward to joining the talented team at ABP and building on this positive momentum by helping to embed safety, well-being, and a commitment to protecting the environment into everything we do.”

Sally will take up her new role today, reporting to Paul Bristowe, ABP Chief of Staff.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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