PD Ports’ CEO, Frans Calje, has been voted the second most inspiring business leader within the Tees Valley in a recent poll.
The annual poll, in which local business magazine, Tees Business, invites peers from across the region to vote for their most inspiring colleagues, saw Frans feature as the highest placed male on the list, and the highest ranked non-native Teessider, jumping up two places from 2020.
“I’m incredibly humbled to have come second in this year’s poll,” said Frans. “It’s a great honour to feature on a list of such influential and inspiring leaders from across our thriving region and it’s also fantastic to see so many fellow business leaders from across the River Tees place so highly.
“Following a hugely difficult year, we have continued to work together to allow the Tees Valley to flourish, to attract investment and to keep vital trade flows moving whilst protecting the wellbeing of our people. We don’t do that for the recognition, we do it with the collective aim of enabling our region to prosper.
“As the Statutory Harbour Authority, we feel that it our duty to maximise opportunities for the region, facilitating trade growth and supporting the business objectives of our colleagues across the river in order to create-high quality jobs and support the communities and environment that surround the river.
“It’s hugely rewarding to see that our efforts at PD Ports are valued as we continue working to deliver on our future vision to make the River Tees the UK’s most successful port region by 2050. I send many congratulations to all of my friends and colleagues who have also featured on the list.”
Fellow river users and prominent figures at Teesport Bill Scott of Wilton Group and Gary Dawson of AV Dawson also featured in the top 10.
Teesport is currently the fifth largest maritime complex in the UK, handlingover 28 million tonnes of cargo per annum and contributing in excess of £1.4billion to the UK economy.
PD Ports recently launched its bold future vision to elevate the River Tees to become the UK’s most successful port region by 2050.
