About us
The Board
The Dover Harbour Board has a rich heritage that spans over 400 years. We are one of the oldest continuously operating organisations in the UK, with a long history of managing Europe’s busiest ferry port.
While operating under the command of Kings and Queens prior to 1606, it wasn’t until King James I requested that the harbour be transferred by Royal Charter from corporation to its own body which would eventually be known as Dover Harbour Board.
Doug Bannister, Chief Executive
Doug has over 30 years’ experience in international business, and has held roles with the Ports of Jersey and leading sea transportation companies including P&O Nedlloyd and Maersk Line UK & Ireland. He has deep experience in leading asset intense operational businesses, having operated in shipping, maritime and aviation sectors. Appointed by Dover Harbour Board. Date of appointment 1 January 2019.
Denise Everitt, Board Member
Denise is a Chartered Accountant and spent several years in the accountancy profession prior to moving into Higher Education, initially as Financial Controller at Cranfield University and then at the University of Kent in a variety of roles, most latterly as Chief Operating Officer responsible for Estates, Information Services and Commercial matters. She retired from the University in 2020. She has held roles as a school governor in East Kent and was previously a Board member of Canterbury for Business. Appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport on 1 January 2021. Current term of appointment expires on 31 December 2023.
Stuart Jaenicke, Board Member
Stuart has over a decade of international experience within the maritime sector as former Group Finance Director for Viking Maritime Group, being heavily involved in the design & concept of many projects including the innovative Maritime Skills Academy based in Dover and Portsmouth along with international payroll related projects across the globe. He owns a local bistro which provides an integral hub for the community and is actively involved in many local charities, community initiatives and community sports clubs, regularly supporting and participating in events across the Dover District.
Heather Jones, Board Member
Heather has over 32 years’ experience across many local and central government roles, including HMRC and the Cabinet Office, specialising in border controls and formalities as a result of the UK leaving the EU. She has also held roles in DG TAXUD in the European Commission. She has a deep operational knowledge of the short straits, and of EU and UK public policy. She is appointed for her special knowledge or experience of the position of the harbour within the local community and economy. Appointed by Dover Harbour Board with effect from 1 August 2022. Current term of appointment expires on 31 July 2025.
Perry Glading, Board Member
Perry has extensive experience in the Ports and Shipping sector, having previously held main executive board positions with the Port of Tilbury and Forth Ports, and with Geest North Sea Line BV. A current Board Director of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of Opportunity South Essex, having previously held the position of Deputy Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board. He remains a non-executive director of High House Production Park and Chair of Governors at St Josephs College, Ipswich. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Appointed by Dover Harbour Board with effect from 1 October 2022. Current term of appointment expires on 30 September 2025. (Chairs the Remuneration Committee).
Jim Fairbairn OBE, Board Member
Jim is a Chartered Engineer and is Chief Executive Officer of Megger Group, a leading electrical test, measurement and diagnostic organisation headquartered in Dover. The company has presence in over 40 countries of the world and supports large capital projects and electrical grid maintenance. He has held executive roles in engineering for over 25 years and has extensive experience in engineering, infrastructure enhancement, risk management and safety. He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Appointed by Dover Harbour Board with effect from 1 January 2023. Current term of appointment expires on 31 December 2025.
Helen Samuels, Board Member
Helen is a chartered engineer with a masters in environmental management, and is a fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She has a diverse career in heavy and complex infrastructure, both in UK and internationally, and has worked for owner operators, regulators, and within the supply chain. Former roles include Engineering Director for United Utilities, Engineering Director for Network Rail’s £6bn pa national capital programme, CEO of Bibby Marine, an international marine logistics and data acquisition business, and MD of a construction JV delivering £1.2bn pa section of the HS2 civils route. Appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport on 19 January 2023. Current term of appointment expires on 18 January 2026.
Jonathan Pascoe, Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan is a Chartered Accountant with extensive ferry and port experience, having spent more than twenty years with the Wightlink group as Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer. He joined the organisation as Chief Financial Officer in August 2021. Appointed by Dover Harbour Board. Date of appointment 27 January 2022.
Tim Reardon, Company Secretary as Secretary to the Board
Tim attends all Board meetings. He joined the organisation in 2018 as Head of EU Exit and was appointed to the role of Company Secretary in May 2019. He is a member of ICSA: The Governance Institute.
Jason Holt, Chair
Jason is currently the Chairman of EDX Medical Group plc as well as chairing Flite Aviation, a European regional airline. As a former Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Jason is now a Trustee of HighGround; an Armed Forces covenanted charity supporting the mental wellbeing and rehabilitation of grievously injured service personnel together with the resettlement of veterans into the UK land economy. Jason is the former Chief Executive of Swissport, Western Europe’s largest airport services business, the previous Whitehall Chief Executive of Coronavirus Testing in the United Kingdom and latterly the Executive Vice President & Board member for Luxembourg’s Cargolux International, Europe’s largest dedicated freight airline. He has held similar leadership positions in Virgin Atlantic Airways and EasyJet Limited plc. Jason as a law graduate has an Executive MBA from London Business School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Law School. He is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport with effect from 20 March 2023. Current term of appointment expires on 19 March 2026.
