The Port of London Authority (PLA) has announced the appointment of Martin Rolfe, CEO of NATS, as its new Non-Executive Board Director.
Rolfe is the CEO of NATS, which provides air traffic control for 2.5 million aircraft movements over the UK and North Atlantic each year. He is overseeing a reform initiative that aligns technology, training, and recruiting, all while maintaining a 24/7 safety essential operation.
Engineer by degree and background, he formerly worked in the defence and aerospace sectors before joining NATS in 2015.
Rolfe has extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director, having sat on the boards of many technology businesses and an NHS trust during the last decade.
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Jonson Cox CBE, Chair of the PLA Board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Martin to the Board. NATS, like the PLA, is responsible for the safe and effective management of a critical piece of our national infrastructure. I know his experience leading NATS’ investment in transformational change, technology and decarbonisation, will be invaluable to us in delivering our Thames Vision.
“Martin joins the PLA Board at a particularly interesting time, as we invest significantly in capital projects like the Marine Centre Transformation Programme, delivering a state-of-the-art port control centre which will ensure the port is ready to support our customers with their next 25 years of growth.”
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Rolfe stated: “I can already see strong parallels between NATS and the PLA, not least the challenges and opportunities that come from running a safe, continuous operation to move goods and people as well as deliver services within the UK and beyond.
“I’m particularly looking forward to contributing through the PLA to the next chapter of one of the world’s most iconic rivers for the benefit of everyone that uses or relies upon it.”
