Welcome to our new Board Directors!

We are thrilled to announce that we have appointed two new directors to our board: Nick Loader, Chief Operating Officer for DP World’s UK Businesses and Jo Sawford from Airbus Defence and Space.

Nick Loader, joined DP World in 2005 as Finance Director in Southampton and was appointed CEO of DP World Southampton in 2016. In 2018 the UK businesses of DP World at London Gateway and Southampton were brought together with Nick moving to the role of COO of DP World UK. Nick's responsibilities include operations, engineering, safety and IT.

Nick started his career in commerce with McCarthy and Stone, moving to the shipping and ports sector in various roles including P&O Ferries Portsmouth and Carnival UK.

Nick, who was appointed in November 2019, said: “I am delighted to be joining the board of the Solent LEP and look forward to working with the team. In particular, I hope I can contribute with my knowledge of the local shipping industry, which is so important and unique to our economic growth in the Solent.”

Jo is currently Head of Payload Projects for Telecommunication Satellites, ensuring on-time, on-quality, on-cost delivery of the satellite payloads, designed and manufactured at Airbus in Portsmouth. During her career, Jo has worked in various disciplines within the aircraft and space domains of the aerospace industry. In addition to her current role, Jo is the Portsmouth Site Director where she helps facilitate stronger relationships between Airbus and the local community through activities such as Shaping Portsmouth, Pride@Portsmouth, ‘We can do it awards’ and extensive Outreach/STEM programmes including EBP South, Girls Network, UTC Portsmouth, Winchester Science Centre and local charities.

Jo, who will commence her post in Spring 2020, said of her new role:

“I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to join the Solent LEP board of directors and aim to bring my passion for change, through encouraging further collaboration and contributing to the strategic development of our regional eco-system. Strengthening local connectivity is a vital part of my existing role and identifying and facilitating growth opportunities is something I look forward to delivering as part of the LEP.”

Chair of Solent LEP, Gary Jeffries said: “We are delighted to welcome Nick and Jo to our board of directors and look forward to them bringing their wealth of experience in many areas to the LEP and contribute to our growth in the future.”