About

Senior Team

Sarah West 

Chief Executive, Executive Board Director

Sarah joined Harwich Haven Authority on the 1 January 2023. Following a successful 20-year career with the Royal Navy, becoming the first woman to command a major UK warship, Sarah has held senior, strategic leadership roles within the ports industry.

She was previously Chief Operations Officer at the Port of Dover and prior to joining the Authority, she oversaw the operational implementation of the new south Harbour at the Port of Aberdeen.

As a champion, and promoter, of diversity and inclusion, Sarah was an inaugural member of the Maritime UK’s Women in Maritime Network. Sarah is a keen cyclist, swimmer and runner; raising money for charity and volunteering regionally as a triathlon referee.

Jake Storey

Chief Financial Officer, Executive Board Director

Jake joined Harwich Haven Authority in August 2017. He has over 25 years’ experience in the shipping industry and prior to joining the Authority he was a strategic advisor to the anti-bribery business TRACE International.

Starting his career in the maritime industry working for Hill Samuel Merchant Bank, he worked for, and advised Wallems, Escombe Lambert, Gellaty, Lambert Brothers, Lavino Shipping and the Wescol group.

Jake has also held senior positions with Gearbulk Group as their chief risk officer and with  Inchcape Shipping Services UK as chief financial officer.

He holds a MBA from Manchester Business School and is a chartered accountant and a qualified corporate treasurer. He also has a BA Hons in History and Politics from Keele University.

Will Barker

Marine Director (Harbour Master)

Will joined Harwich Haven Authority in April 2023. He has 20 years’ experience working within the maritime industry and is passionate about marine operations.

Will previously worked at Peel Ports Group where he managed the Mersey Marine Team to ensure the safe operation of three statutory harbour authorities and efficiently delivering services including pilotage, dredging, hydrography, lock operations and towage.

When working on the Hinkley Point C project he was responsible for establishing a new harbour authority, facilitating construction and operation of the c£150m jetty. He has also held roles at Shoreham Port, Littlehampton and Chichester Harbour on the south coast.

Will is an active member of the UK Harbour Master Association and a Trinity House Younger Brother.

 

Melissa Wellings BSc, MSc, PIEMA

Environmental, Social and Governance Director

Melissa joined Harwich Haven Authority in February 2022. She has held senior environment management roles across several sectors, including rail, energy distribution utilities, construction and the public sector environmental regulator (EA). Prior to joining the Authority she was the Environment and Sustainability Lead with Network Rail.

Starting her career with the Environment Agency she has successfully led the development and implementation of environmental management systems and companywide sustainability initiatives. While working as the Head of Environmental Risk & Sustainability at UK Power Network she successfully  achieved the Carbon Trust accreditation for Carbon reduction.

Melissa achieved a BSc in Geography from Kings College, London and holds a Masters in Environment Management for Business.

Nick Lambert

Head of Business Systems

Joining Harwich Haven Authority in 2016, Nick brought 20 years’ IT experience across telecommunications, retail and logistics industries to lead the wholesale review of the company’s IT systems. With a background in software development, business analysis and project management Nick continues to drive the programme of systems change and lead the organisation through a changing technical landscape.

A principal focus for Nick and the Business Systems team is to leverage the unique placement of Harwich Haven Authority to support and adopt technical and marine industry innovation for the benefit of the business and its stakeholders.

Nick has an interest in sailing and all things marine and is a keen user of the local waters of The Haven.

Helen Rudd, MCIPR

Strategy & Partnerships Director

Helen is an award-winning Communications Director who has considerable experience in the ports and logistics sector. Helen spent five years in the Corporate Affairs team at Hutchison Ports UK, delivering communications, stakeholder engagement and community relations for the Port of Felixstowe and Harwich International Port before setting up her own PR agency, Prominent PR, which she ran for 10 years. Helen’s strengths lie in communications strategy, building client relationships and people management.