United Kingdom’s ports group, Associated British Ports (ABP) has appointed Karel Drastich as head of corporate development for the group, from 4 January.
Reporting to Julian Walker, chief commercial officer, the position is newly created to accelerate the delivery of ABP’s long-term business strategy, focusing on corporate development. Hence, Drastich’s role will be focused on driving inorganic growth.
Drastich is experienced in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate development, leading multi-functional deal teams across a range of sectors, ranging from mining to global transportation and port operations to ship management and marine services.
Welcoming Karel Drastich to the business, Julian Walker said, “With our existing strategy to invest in the existing ABP operations and the critical infrastructure and services to support the wider ‘energy transition’, Karel’s expertise will bring further incremental opportunities and expertise to ABP.”
“The global trends of sustainability, green energy, and digitalisation, not just in the marine sector but in the wider UK economy, present new challenges and opportunities for many companies,” stated Karel Drastich in accepting the position at ABP.
“As a market leader with a clear strategy looking beyond port operations, ABP is well-positioned to explore these new opportunities and create value by leveraging its existing assets and utilizing its current and future footprint,” he pointed out.