ABP appoints new Group IT Director to drive next wave of digital strategy

Image Caption: Sean Kelly, ABP's New Group IT Director

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK's leading port operator, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Kelly as its new Group IT Director, taking forward ABP's sector leading programme of investment in digital strategy for port operations optimisation, customer service and cyber security.

Sean has extensive experience leading IT teams in different businesses including Microsoft, BT, EY, RBS. He was most recently the CIO of Business Platforms at Dentsu, one of the largest global marketing and advertising agency networks. His experience has included leading the delivery of IT programmes such as digital transformation and ERP solutions for global businesses and implementing functional and connected digital journeys.

ABP's CEO Henrik L. Pedersen, said: "It's great to welcome Sean to ABP. Sean will be driving forward a well-established IT organisation, developing and executing the next phase of our digital strategy, including developing a broader IT landscape supporting all areas of ABP's business. Building smart, flexible and resilient technology platforms to deliver on customers' needs and business optimisation is a key foundation of our strategy. We've made some great strides forward but we're ambitious about where technology can take us, our customers and partners further."

Sean Kelly, the new ABP Group IT Director, said: "I'm delighted to be joining ABP and I'm eager to build on the strong programmes and team in place. What attracted me to ABP is the company's great culture coupled with the ambition to carry through its leading position in the UK ports sector to the areas of technology, digitisation and cyber security. State-of-the-art IT infrastructure and new ways of working are essential to be at the forefront of the digital revolution in the maritime industry."

ABP has been a leader in the IT and digital solutions area, with examples including being the first UK operator to operationalise a 5G network across a major port, deploying state-of-the-art terminal operating systems across bulk, breakbulk, container and automotive terminals and comprehensively upgrading vessel traffic and marine management systems.

ABP is using cutting edge technology applications to make the operations of both the company and customers more efficient, more sustainable and safer. Examples include award winning trials of drone technology, installation of Internet of Things applications on port equipment and deploying PPE wearables to enhance safety performance.