#BelfastLough - Chief Executive Robert Cooper has stepped down from his position in Harland & Wolff Group after a 44-year career at the shipyard, where he has been replaced by Jonathan Guest.

As The Irish News reports, he began his career at H&W as an accountant in 1974 and rose through its ranks during a time of great transition including the privatisation of the company and its purchase by Norwegian stock exchange listed Fred Olsen Energy. He had been CEO since February 2003.

His successor, who assumed the new role yesterday (May 1), had been director of business development and improvement for H&W Heavy Industries, having joined the firm four years ago from interior fit-out specialist MJM Group.

For more on the change of chief executive, click here. 

#Ports&Shipping-  Clare Guinness has been appointed as the new chief executive officer by the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, the first female head of any port on the island of Ireland.

She joins from Fane Valley Group, where she held the position, Director of Corporate Services. During her time at Fane Valley, she played an instrumental role in the sale of the dairy to Lakeland and the joint ventures between Slaney, Linden Foods and ABP.

Clare Guinness also held senior roles during 17 years with the Bank of Ireland, working within the Real Estate and Business Banking divisions across Belfast, Dublin and London.

Stan McIlvenny, Chairman of the Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, said: “The Board is delighted to have secured the appointment of Clare Guinness, who has a wealth of corporate experience across multiple jurisdictions. We look forward to working with Clare as she leads the development of the Port’s strategy, and building on its growing contribution to the local economy".

Clare Guinness will take up her role in January.