The UK’s leading ports group, Associated British Ports, has appointed Jeff Gibb as Lead Property Asset Manager to drive strategic change and deliver growth from its UK property portfolio, which encompasses 16 ports across Wales and the Southwest, East Anglia, Northwest and Scotland.

Jeff has been with ABP as a Senior Surveyor since 2020 and previously focused on the Estate Management as well as review of land and development sites in ABP’s 16 Wales & Short Sea Ports portfolio. Prior to joining ABP, Jeff worked in senior property roles at a range of public and private organisations, including Cardiff Council, Locke Property Investments and DTZ.

In his new ABP role, he will lead initiatives focused on property disposals and acquisitions, ensuring the optimisation of the business’ estate. He will also look to create new strategic relationships with stakeholders and port occupiers across the regions.

Jeff Gibb commented on his new role, emphasising ABP’s ongoing strategic review of land utilisation across more than 500 acres:

“Operating within a port environment offers substantial benefits to occupiers from a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics and renewable energy.

“ABP is a dedicated partner, with a proved track record of bringing development-ready sites to the market. We work collaboratively to build long-term partnerships and deliver the right solutions for customers, including value-added services and new facilities tailored to suit their business needs.”

A number of ABP’s ports will also be able to provide businesses that locate at them with a strategic advantage as a result of having achieved freeport status. This will provide the opportunity for tax and customs breaks at ABP’s ports in Southampton, the Humber, Plymouth and Garston.

ABP is also one of four partners in the consortium of the successful Celtic Freeport bid, which encompasses ABP’s port at Port Talbot. The Celtic Freeport aims to deliver an accelerated pathway for Wales’s net zero economy generating over 16,000 new, green jobs and up to £5.5bn of new investment.

Jeff Gibb emphasised the pivotal role of ports in advancing the renewable energy sector:

“The renewable energy sector can provide huge economic benefits to the UK and ports can play a major role in delivering these. We are already a prominent partner in the offshore energy sector and remain committed to decarbonising our own operations.”

In February, ABP launched its net zero sustainability strategy, Ready for Tomorrow, which is backed by £2bn of investment split between £600m to decarbonise ABP’s own operations by 2040, and £1.4bn from supporting major infrastructure projects to enable the wider UK energy transition.

The ABP Property team is looking to broaden its reach and seek new clients. As one of the UK’s largest property and landowners, this new position has been established following the realignment of the property strategy and the company’s commitment to a sustainable future.