Our staff
![Richard Ballantyne](/content/uploads/2023/07/Web-square-Richard_°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹ûStaff23_1281_a-800x600-c-default.png)
Richard Ballantyne
Chief Executive
Richard Ballantyne joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û in 2007 and became the Chief Executive in 2016.
He represents the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û on a number of industry bodies and is a member of a wide range of government stakeholder groups and international committees.
Richard has in-depth expertise in ports, transport and environmental policy matters as well as a wide experience of the legislative process around the UK.
He is a Director of Maritime UK, a Trustee of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board charity and was previously a Director of Port Skills and Safety Ltd.
Before joining the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û Richard spent five years at a Westminster political consultancy and was previously an MP’s researcher in the House of Commons.
![Mark Simmonds](/content/uploads/2023/07/Mark_Web_Square_°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹ûStaff23_1007_a-800x600-c-default.png)
Mark Simmonds
Director of Policy & External Affairs
Mark Simmonds joined the Association in 2016 and leads on environmental and technical policy issues. He is also our main liaison for media and public affairs enquiries.
Before joining the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û he spent five years working for an MP in the House of Commons as a senior researcher and speechwriter, focusing on business and technology policy.
Prior to that he worked in Government as a policy advisor and a Business and Systems Analyst at the Dreyfus Corporation, part of the Bank of New York Mellon in the USA.
Mobile: 07387090955
![Shenaz Bussawon](/content/uploads/2023/07/Web-Shenaz_°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹ûStaff23-a1-800x600-c-default.png)
Shenaz Bussawon
Events, Marketing & Programmes Manager
Shenaz manages website, main social media accounts, events, member communications.
She is also and part of the Maritime UK Diversity Network and an active member of the maritime careers initiative representing the UK ports sector at national and regional exhibitions and careers fairs.
Prior to the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û, Shenaz had worked within the retail wholesale sector as PA, office manager and wholesales assistant within various footwear brands.
Landline: 0207 260 1780
Mobile: 07551372504
![Rhona Macdonald](/content/uploads/2023/07/Web_Rhona_Square-800x600-c-default.png)
Rhona Macdonald
Senior Sustainability Advisor
Rhona joined the association in 2021, focusing on environmental policy issues and sharing best-practice with UK ports to support and strengthen sustainability efforts within the sector.
Rhona acts as a focal point on sustainability policy issues for UK ports, collecting and disseminating good practice and welcoming opportunities to collaborate with °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û members within the area of climate change, the environment and sustainable development. Rhona also works closely with the International Association of Ports and Harbors and other collaborative partners on various sustainability programmes for ports.
Rhona joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û following the completion of an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Prior to her role, Rhona worked as a Sustainability Intern for the environmental NGO, Ninth Wave Global in Mexico, as well as executing research on the circular economy for Zero Waste Scotland.
Mobile: 07917909506
![Eileen Salmon](/content/uploads/2023/07/Eileen_web_Square_°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹ûStaff23_1051-800x600-c-default.png)
Eileen Salmon
Corporate Services Manager
Eileen joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û in 2021, and looks after the Association’s finances, events, HR, governance, membership and administration.
Acting as the Association secretary, Eileen will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of the Association’s corporate services and ensure that the interests of our members are well represented. As the initial point of contact for queries regarding the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û Constitution, she will ensure that the general governance of the Association adheres to the fundamental principles of the organisation’s regulations.
Eileen joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û from the UK Chamber of Shipping, where she worked as the Conference, Events & Facilities Manager. Prior to this she worked for several years in primary education, with particular responsibility for analysing exam results and later managing the gifted and talented cohort. Previously she worked for British Telecom in the Property Management Division, working in a range of jobs from high profile fit-out projects to the strategic management of the BT estate in London and throughout the UK.
![George Finch](/content/uploads/2023/07/George-web-square-°ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹ûStaff23_1310_a-800x600-c-default.png)
George Finch
Policy & Economic Analyst
George joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û in November 2021 and leads on economic reporting, surveys, trade issues, and Scottish ports.
George joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û after spending one year interning at the Department for International Trade in Taiwan, where he supported high value UK exporters and encouraged Taiwanese companies to take climate action. Before that, George studied International Relations at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Mobile: 07918635737
![Zoe Ojo-Earl](/content/uploads/2023/09/Zoe-OE-800x600-c-default.jpg)
Zoe Ojo-Earl
Finance and Administration Assistant
Zoe joined the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û in September 2023 and assists with the Association’s finances and administration.
Prior to the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û, Zoe had worked within the financial sector as an operations assistant where she assisted investment teams with transactions, invoices and arrears. Zoe also sent time in the NHS working as a Medical Physics administrator at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. Zoe is very excited to be joining the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û and looking forward to visiting the British ports.
![Sector Representatives](/content/uploads/2024/03/Mooring-Team-Square-800x600-c-default.jpg)
Sector Representatives
Various
The °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û draws on its broad and diverse membership to provide specialised or technical input and support for the °ÄÃÅÂë½ñÆÚ¿ª½±½á¹û’s policy work in certain areas. Our member’s expertise and support strengthens our engagement and improve policy outcomes. Read more about the areas we are seeking support from members, here.