Felixstowe: Port boss takes six months off to recover from health problems

A LEADING Suffolk business figure is today taking a six-month sabbatical to recover from health problems.

David Gledhill, chief executive officer of Hutchison Ports UK, owners of the Port of Felixstowe, will be away from his post until the end of the year.

Mr Gledhill, 56, had several months away from the business late last year because of his health and returned to work in January.

However, the problems had not been resolved and now it is hoped the sabbatical will provide him with the rest he needs for a full recovery.

Head of corporate affairs Paul Davey said: “Mr Gledhill has been making good progress but he has taken medical advice which has said that a sabbatical would be of real benefit to completely clear this health issue.”

Clemence Cheng, managing director, central Europe, of Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), will take over Mr Gledhill’s role as CEO during his leave.

Mr Gledhill is responsible for all three Hutchison UK ports – Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport – and their 3,500 staff.

In the past few years he has overseen major expansion at Felixstowe with the �300 million project to create two new deepwater berths for the world’s biggest ships, which were unveiled as part of the port’s 125th birthday celebrations last autumn, and the start on a new rail terminal