Four board members, Rick Squires, Gareth Lynn, David Snelson and Fiona Birt-Llewellin have been appointed by Milford Haven Port Authority under a new procedure brought about by a change in MHPA's constitution. Previously, all non executive members and the chairman were appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport. Under the revised arrangements, only the chairman will continue to be appointed by the Secretary of State. The remaining members will all be appointed by the authority itself. The change to MHPA's constitution is in line with the UK Government's guidance on trust port governance as set out in Modernising Trust Ports: Second Edition.

Rick Squires has extensive experience in energy as a non-executive director or chairman of a number of renewable energy businesses, mainly in the UK, but also across Europe and North America.

Rick started as an electrical engineer before joining Shell for 28 years with roles in business areas, including coal, oil, shipping and energy for power before becoming senior vice-president with InterGen, an international power company based in Boston USA. In 2003, he founded UK based PiEnergy Ltd., pursuing a portfolio of interests including renewable energy, management education and recruitment consultancy.

He said "I am delighted to have joined Milford Haven Port Authority at this juncture as the port continues to grow as the Energy Capital of the UK. There is a real opportunity to attract renewable energy projects and businesses and I very much welcome the challenge".

Gareth Lynn has been re-appointed, having first taken up his post in 2008. Gareth founded one of Wales' leading firms of independent accountants, KTS Owens Thomas Ltd., based in Cardiff.

He trained and qualified with Ernst & Young before setting up his own practice in 1990 with two colleagues. They have grown the firm over 22 years into one of Wales' leading independent accountancy and business advisory practices employing 82 professional staff across two offices. He provides financial and commercial advice to a range of private sector clients and works closely with a large number of public bodies in both Wales and England in respect of audit assurance and risk management.

He has brought a wealth of knowledge to the job where he is chairman of the authority's audit committee.

He said "I am looking forward to continuing the work of building Milford Haven Port for the benefit of both the local community and the Welsh economy as a whole."

David Snelson brings with him significant marine and port experience. Having started in the Royal Navy, he rose to rank of Rear Admiral having commanded warships including the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. He came ashore in 2006 to a new career as Chief Harbourmaster for the Port of London Authority and left in 2011. In 2012, he was appointed as a non executive director of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

David said: "My previous marine and Trust Port experience gives me an ideal opportunity to ensure that, whilst investing for the future growth of the business, the core responsibility of the port: the safe and efficient handling of ships, continues to be appropriately resourced and managed."

Fiona Birt-Llewellin has been re-appointed having also taken up the post in 2008. She lives in Pembrokeshire and has had a career as a senior HR professional with 22 years experience at board level.

She joined a small recruitment consultancy in London in the mid 1980s, and was quickly promoted to the board, helping to develop the company into a plc which was sold in 2000. She moved to global consultancy TMP Worldwide, working with them for two years, and took on a number of consultancy assignments before joining the British Horseracing Board as recruitment and training director in 2003. Fiona spent three years as HR director for Capital Consulting and since 2010 has had a senior role with Major, Lindsey and Africa, a global executive search firm.

Fiona said: "Having been so closely involved with the port during a period of significant expansion and revenue growth, I am very pleased to be able to continue building upon our success for the benefit of Pembrokeshire."

Welcoming the appointments, the authority's chairman, David Benson, said: "Gareth, David, Fiona and Rick bring relevant experience and skills that we need to grow the business and achieve our vision of providing port infrastructure and services with energy and excellence. This concludes the first stage of our appointment process. We have three further appointments or re-appointments to make from an established list of candidates in consultation with Pembrokeshire County Council, which process will be getting fully under way in mid July".