Orkney Harbours' News
Capt Nigel Mills elected to British Ports Association Council.
02 April 2010
Capt Nigel Mills elected to British Ports Association Council.
The AGM of the BPA ( British Ports Association ) held at the Drapers Hall in London on the 23rd March 2010 saw the election to the Council of the BPA Capt Nigel Mills current Chairman of the Scottish Committee of the BPA and Director of Marine Services, Orkney Islands Council.
Commenting on his appointment Nigel Mills said“I am very pleased in the knowledge that the membership and fellow Council members of the BPA have felt confident that I am able to represent them at this level in assisting the association to steer a course through the complicated legislative and commercial world of UK and International Port business.
I will endeavour to provide my experience gained in 35 years in the shipping industry to policy that will aid the ports in the association to prosper in the current economic environment, with maybe a Scottish flavour when appropriate.”
The BPA exists to represent the interests of a wide range of ports and harbours to all tiers of UK government and key EU policy makers. 95% of the UK’s international trade passes through its ports and they are vital gateways for economic success.
The BPA is organised so as to be as flexible as possible in keeping pace with constant change in the industry. Major policy decisions are taken by a Council which is elected by the membership on an annual basis and which meets on a quarterly basis.
Linked to the Council are specialist Working Groups dealing either with specific interests, such as the Ferry Port or Fishing Port sectors, or dealing with those issues which affect all ports such as the Environment and European Policy.
The Association also runs a Scottish Ports Committee which maintains strong links with to the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Assembly. The BPA is funded entirely by its members and is run from offices in central London.
In September of 2011, the BPA will hold its annual conference in Orkney where150 delegates are expected to attend; this is the first time that this conference has been held in Orkney.