Caledonian MacBrayne MD changes his mind about leaving
Martin Dorchester, Caledonian MacBrayne’s managing director and CEO for the David MacBrayne Group, has announced he will remain in post.
Dorchester had announced last October that he would be leaving the company at the end of March, but has now changed his mind.
He had signalled his intention to leave after CalMac was awarded the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract, saying he felt the time was right to ‘seek new challenges’.
Explaining his change of mind today, he explained: "Having secured the CHFS contract for the next eight years, as well as the 35-year concession to run Marchwood Military Port in Hampshire as a joint venture, I felt I had achieved what I came to do and it was time to move on to new challenges.”
But he said the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf announced last week that the government will be undertaking a review of Scottish ferry services.
“This review will include applicability of the Teckal exemption, which would potentially remove the requirement to put ferry services out to tender, and the management structures of David MacBrayne Limited (DML) and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited,” he said.
"Having discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by this review with the DML Board and with the Transport Minister, I have taken the decision to stay in my current post and lead the organisation through this new chapter.
"I am excited by the opportunities presented by this review and very much look forward to continuing to work with my team and with all of our stakeholders to secure the best possible results for our employees, passengers and communities, as well as the taxpayer."
David McGibbon, chairman of David MacBrayne, said. “The board is delighted that Martin will stay to lead the Group throughout what will be an important period. His experience, knowledge and leadership skills will be of great value.”
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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