P&O Ferries hires the long-time director of DFDS, Kasper Moos, as the new CEO. He replaces the controversial Peter Hebblethwaite, who was nicknamed “Britain’s most hated boss” after a massive round of firings, which subsequently led to legal changes.
According to several media outlets, Kasper Moos will assume his new job at the end of September and after 14 years at DFDS – most recently as vice president and head of the passenger division – he knows the competitive situation inside and out on the Channel, where as the top boss of P&O Ferries he will compete with his old employer.
Kasper Moos wrote in a memo to P&O Ferries employees on Thursday according to Sky News:
“This is a globally recognized brand in the ferry industry, which today delivers vital passenger and freight routes between the UK and the European mainland – and internally in the UK. I look forward to getting started, continuing the transformation of this fantastic company, and ensuring that we provide our customers with the high quality of service they need.”
The former CEO, Peter Hebblethwaite, was subjected to massive criticism in 2022 when P&O Ferries – which is owned by Dubai-based DP World – fired 800 employees without notice. Several were informed of their dismissal via a video message and the episode triggered a political storm in the UK and led to legal changes that strengthen workers’ rights and to the nickname “Britain’s most hated boss”.
Ganesh Raj, who is COO of P&O Ferries owner, DP World Marine Services Global, calls Kasper Moos an “inspiring leader with extensive experience in the industry”.
“I am very pleased that he is now taking up the role of CEO for P&O Ferries and will lead the company towards future success,” Ganesh Raj states.
P&O Ferries transports 4.5 million passengers annually on routes between the UK and European ports such as Calais and Rotterdam, as well as on the route between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The shipping company was hit hard first by Brexit and then by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to fewer passengers and lower freight volumes. This resulted in the closure of several routes and huge losses. In the financial year 2021, the net loss was around £375 million and in 2022 the shipping company lost £249 million after tax according to Sky News.
Since then, it has managed to stabilize operations and the loss was reduced to just over £90 million in 2023.
The accounts for 2024 have not yet been published, but the Dane Kasper Moos undoubtedly has a big job ahead of him to get the 187-year-old shipping company back on an even keel.
-emte
