Two New Non-Executive Directors Join Port of London Authority Board

The Port of London Authority (PLA) announces two new non-executive directors have been appointed to the PLA board: Judith Armitt has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport (in accordance with the Port of London Act); and Darren James has been appointed by the PLA Board.

Judith Armitt will bring substantial public sector, London and Thames experience to the PLA. She was most recently chief executive of Local Partnerships LLP, the joint venture between HM Treasury and the Local Government Association. She previously worked for the Cabinet Office and was chief executive of both the Thames Gateway Executive and Medway Council. Judith Armitt studied at Oxford University and is a qualified accountant. She is currently non-executive director and trustee of the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME), Design: South East, chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, Diocese of Rochester, director, Housing and Finance Institute and a member of the Governing Body of Canterbury Christ Church University.

Darren James is an Executive Board Director of Costain Group PLC and Managing Director of Infrastructure, one of two operating Divisions, in Costain. He is responsible for the delivery of services for customers such as the Highways England, Network Rail, Crossrail, London Underground and EdF. He started with Costain as an industrial placement student from the University of Surrey on the A55 Conwy Crossing. Darren subsequently graduated with honours in Civil Engineering in 1990 and joined the Costain graduate development programme. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation, The Institute of Directors and the Institution of Civil Engineers. He also represents the industry on the Princes Trust Construction and Business Services Leadership Group, championing the introduction of young people into the industry.

PLA chairman, Christopher Rodrigues CBE, commented:

“The recruitment of Judith and Darren will bring new, important skills to the PLA boardroom. Together they will bring experience of London, planning and regeneration, civil engineering and stakeholder relationships to the table. This will be particularly valuable as we work to realise the potential, set out in the Thames Vision, for greater use of the river over the coming years.”

Judith Armitt and Darren James will join the PLA Board with effect from 1 December 2016.