Who got that job?

By LIANE VOISEY

Martin Byrne, Chief Executive, Port Nelson

Having worked in the maritime industry for nearly 20 years, Byrne, 38, has experience in dealing with port operators from a customer's perspective.

He knows only too well of the frustrations of dealing with the old authoritarian style of harbour boards and says that this cannot continue to happen in today's tough and competitive port environment.

As general manager business development at Flinders Ports, which runs seven ports in South Australia, Byrne negotiated with all the shipping lines and was the main contact for importers and exporters using those ports.

Since he joined Flinders Ports two years ago, Byrne says his team went to great lengths to sit down regularly with clients to discuss their expectations and deliver on them.

Having worked through getting a much more customer-focused operation in South Australia, Byrne says he is confident those skills will prove beneficial in his new role.

Securing a CEO position within a port operation was the next logical step for Byrne, who is originally from Nelson.

"I am familiar with the area, the potential that Port Nelson has as a business and the importance of the business to the Nelson and Tasman district."

He says the new role will mean working with community and business interests to ensure the port is in a position to expand its facilities to "meet the needs of the region's importers and exporters".

Byrne wants to help to ensure that as vessels become larger the pressures remain on shipping companies to reduce operating costs. He also wants Nelson to remain as the preferred port of call for major international lines.

The married father of three is looking forward to returning to his home town with his family and says Nelson offers the added attraction of being close to family and friends.

Byrne says he will relish the chance to bring a different perspective to the port operation and to contribute to the continued growth of the Nelson and Tasman region.