ABL appoints Charlie Simcox as Ports & Harbours Director for Europe and West Africa
ABL has strengthened its maritime leadership with the appointment of Charlie Simcox as Ports & Harbours Director for Europe and West Africa.
With a career spanning senior operational, regulatory, and consultancy roles across the global maritime sector, Charlie brings a rare blend of experience at a pivotal time for port operators navigating new commercial, compliance, and sustainability demands.
Charlie’s background includes senior marine positions with the UK’s two largest port operators, as well as roles in marine management, pilotage, and regulatory oversight. He has also served as Naval Advisor to the UAE Armed Forces and previously led UK marine services at a global marine consultancy.
In his new role, Charlie will lead the continued development of ABL’s ports and harbours offering across Europe and West Africa. His priorities include expanding ABL’s Designated Person and compliance services, strengthening pre-risk advisory support, and ensuring consistent, high-quality delivery for clients across the region.
On joining ABL as P&H Director, Charlie adds:
“ABL’s blend of technical depth, global reach, and strong reputation in ports and harbours made the move an obvious choice. I was particularly drawn to its collaborative culture and commitment to raising standards across marine risk, compliance, and operational consultancy,”
Charlie’s appointment comes as ports face accelerating operational and strategic demands. He identifies decarbonisation, digitalisation, and heightened expectations around safety, compliance, and resilience as key forces reshaping the sector.
“Ports are evolving rapidly as they respond to the energy transition and new supply-chain expectations. This shift presents significant opportunities for innovation and smarter risk management. ABL’s expanding capability, particularly in compliance and pre-risk services, positions us strongly to support clients through this change,”
Daniel Wood, ABL’s Managing Director Maritime for Europe and West Africa, welcomed the appointment:
“We are thrilled to welcome Charlie Simcox to ABL as Director Ports and Harbours for Europe and West Africa. Charlie’s extensive experience in marine operations, regulatory strategy and commercial leadership will be instrumental as we strengthen our services for ports and harbours across the region. Charlie’s leadership will help us deliver even greater value to our clients and drive innovation in ports and harbours risk management.”
Ports sit at the centre of the marine economy. Supporting their safe, compliant, and efficient operation has long been a core focus for both ABL and Charlie.
ABL provides end-to-end support for ports and harbours, from planning and feasibility through to assurance, compliance, and risk management, delivering practical, integrated solutions that help ports operate more safely, sustainably, and efficiently.