Lerwick Port Authority has announced that its new Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive have taken up their posts with immediate effect.

The timing was ratified at a board meeting today (Tuesday 15 May) following a decision by Chief Executive, Allan Wishart, to bring his retirement forward from July on being elected to Shetland Islands Council earlier this month.

The new Chief Executive is Sandra Laurenson who has more than 30 years’ service with the Port Authority and has been Deputy Chief Executive since the post was created in 1999. Believed to be the only female Chief Executive of a port in the UK, she is also a Director of Shetland Catch and Shetland Seafood Auctions.

Her successor as Deputy Chief Executive is Victor Sandison who was previously Administration Manager. He worked in banking and with Shetland Islands Council before joining the Port Authority in 2001 as Administration Manager.

Both are members of the Port Authority board, alongside nine non-executive members.

The senior management team is completed by Captain Calum Grains who was promoted from Deputy Harbourmaster to Harbourmaster in January.

Allan Wishart joined the Port Authority in 1985 as Assistant to the General Manager, and has been at the helm since 1991 as General Manager and then Chief Executive.

Port Authority Chairman, Leonard Groat, said: “Allan Wishart has made a tremendous contribution to the successful operation and development of the port during a key period for the harbour and the Shetland economy. The new senior management team provides considerable experience and drive, and the board is confident they will deliver further development and activity, to the continuing benefit of the islands.”

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