Liverpool-headquartered global business Bibby Line Group has announced Sir Michael Bibby as its new chairman.
He will succeed Paul Drechsler CBE who is stepping down after five years as chair.
Sir Michael previously served as managing director of the group for 19 years and is currently a non-executive member of the BLG board.
Most recently Sir Michael has been president of the UK Chamber of Shipping and chairs Charities Trust Ltd. and the Institute of Family Business Research Foundation.
His two-year term as president of the Chamber of Shipping completed in March this year.
Sir Michael said “I am very pleased to take on the role of Chairman of the Group. The company has come through a very difficult time in our trading history and I look forward to working closely with the Executive team to grow and develop the Group through our core businesses, as we seek to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities provided by a rapidly changing business landscape.
“I would like to thank Paul for his unending drive, motivation, professionalism and wise counsel as Chairman over the last five years and hope he does not miss his trips up to Liverpool.”
Paul Drechsler said: “I am delighted that once again the Chairmanship of Bibby Line Group will be in the hands of a Bibby Family member. Sir Michael knows the businesses well, is a great champion of the Group’s Giving Something Back CSR charity programme, and like colleagues across the Group lives the company values.
“It has been a pleasure to work with the Bibby Family, Board Directors and colleagues across the businesses. I thank them all for their support, team spirit and commitment which has ensured the business will successfully transition to the next chapter in its proud history.”
The diversified group, which has been operating since 1807, has a wide portfolio of interests spanning retail, shipping, marine services, logistics and financial services.
