About us - Chief Executive
Stephen Baxter sets the scene
Peel Ports' new Chief Executive Stephen Baxter, took up the reins of the UK's second largest ports group at the beginning of 2008.
The former Chief Operations Officer for BAA airports succeeds Tom Allison who has become Chairman of the Group.
Within hours of arriving at Peel Ports Liverpool head office, Mr Baxter was meeting staff with a clear message. "I am here to make the business grow," he said. "When I was approached about the job I asked the shareholders whether they were prepared to invest... whether they were in the business to make Peel Ports an even greater success. The answer I got left no doubt that this Group has an exciting and dynamic future."
Peel Ports is the fourth major organisation Mr Baxter, aged 42, has joined. With an Honours degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, he began his career as a Project Engineer with British Aerospace and held management positions with Interconnections Systems Limited before joining Black and Decker where he undertook several director roles which included international assignments in North America and China.
In 2002 he joined BAA as Managing Director of Glasgow Airport and was Divisional Managing Director of BAA Scotland before his appointment in 2007 as Chief Operations Officer of the group, which includes Heathrow, Britain's biggest airport.
Born and raised in Glasgow, Mr Baxter is married with three young children. His interests include football and distance running.
©2008 Peel Ports Group