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PD Ports is celebrating after scooping the Business of the Year title at the prestigious Maritime UK Awards in Glasgow last week.

The category, which sought a business that has demonstrated a real understanding of its target market whilst also showing impressive growth and sustainability across a number of factors including job creation and national and international impact, was tightly fought between the north-east based port operator, Babcock LGE and Expleo.

Commended by the judges for its continued commitment to service excellence and investment in both its own operations and in bringing world-leading businesses to the Tees Valley, PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, took home the title in front of hundreds of industry leaders at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Geoff Lippitt, Chief Commercial Officer at PD Ports, was delighted with the recognition received and praised Maritime UK for holding such a successful event post-COVID.

“We are absolutely over the moon to take home the Business of the Year trophy,” said Geoff.

“This is such fantastic testimony for our business, and our people, and demonstrates to the rest of the industry our continued commitment to providing opportunities, supporting our communities and attracting investment whilst also placing the Tees Valley at the very forefront of our sector.

“I’d also like to commend Maritime UK for putting on such a fantastic event that brought our industry back together, in person, allowing us share best practice and celebrate amongst our colleagues after such a tough couple of years.”

The Business of the Year award also recognised the work PD Ports continues to do in creating real, sustainable jobs for people from apprenticeship level and above with judges impresses by how the port operator had embarked on its largest ever recruitment drive despite the ongoing pandemic.

With 142 new direct jobs created in the Tees Valley alone during 2021, PD Ports is committed to securing the future of the sector on a national scale, backed by a solid workforce that continues to support and innovate in order to enable the Company to drive forward with its ambitious future vision.

Now in its third year, the Maritime UK Awards are run by the industry, for the industry, to celebrate organisations and individuals from the entire spectrum of the sector – from leisure marine to shipping, professional services to ports, and engineering to science and technology.