Previously Kennerley held the post of deputy port manager in South Wales, and since joining ABP in 1989 has held a number of management positions.

At ABP's port of Southampton he will be responsible for the efficient and productive delivery of all port operations including engineering maintenance, day-to-day security and general administration.

Andrew Kent, ABP's port director at Southampton, said: 'Matthew has a strong operational background, together with broad commercial experience gained through his roles at a number of ABP ports. He has a great deal of industry knowledge and experience to offer the ports and joins at an exciting time when several key port developments are coming to fruition.'