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News

Tom Sawyer: Ideas and action from Milford Haven’s new port boss

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HERALD EDITOR TOM SINCLAIR SPEAKS TO THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN, TOM SAWYER

HE started off his working career, at 18, as an assistant at the Buchan Ness Lighthouse in Boddam, Scotland. So, the Port of Milford Haven’s new Chief Executive’s first post was linked to the sea. But then, following his father’s footsteps, he then joined the RAF – so how did a man who spent 26 distinguished years serving on land and in the air become the boss of one of the UK’s busiest ports?

Tom Sawyer: Took control of the Port of Milford Haven at the end of April (Image Herald)

Tom Sawyer took control of the port at the end of April. He spent his many RAF years working on forces’ air-land integration. During our two-hour chat in his office, which has a huge window overlooking the waterway, he explained how his military service had taken him to such danger zones as Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone. We touched on how Russia had been doing this badly, leading to heavy losses in the Ukraine conflict. But we weren’t there to talk about the crisis in Ukraine, except to discuss if it would impact on port operations, so more on that later.

Mr Sawyer left the military in March 2011 and spent the next six and a half years working with QinetiQ. Whilst there in 2017, he led the initial business set up and strategy development of BQ Solutions, a Joint Venture in Qatar. Then, as the Business Development and Solutions Director, he was in the vanguard of the engagement into Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and its Armed Forces and played a central role in winning and delivering significant business that provided his clients with operational and commercial advantage.

This business experience, plus working for four and a half years in the firm he helped to create, combined with skills from his time in the military running air bases has stood him in good stead for his new role at the Port.

Mr Sawyer explained that an airport is a kind of port after all with “much of the same safety-critical and environmental considerations.”

Mr Sawyers’ promise when he joined the port just seven weeks ago was to: “build for the future and ensure the long-term relevance of the Port to the region and nation.”

A TIME FOR CHANGE

Mr Sawyer is taking the reins at the Port of Milford Haven at a time of innovation and exciting plans for change.

And building for the future he certainly is already; I spoke to the Port’s new Chief just one day after he had been at The Houses of Parliament, as part of the Milford Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster. The two local MPs, Simon Hart and Stephen Crabb were both there – as was the Business, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Greg Hands.

Members of the Haven Waterway Future Energy Cluster – including Blue Gem Wind, Cambrian Offshore, DP Energy, Dragon LNG, ERM, Marine Energy Wales, RWE, Valero, Prosperity Energy, the Port of Milford Haven, South Wales Industrial Cluster, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Pembrokeshire County Council – are working collaboratively to promote the Milford Haven Waterway’s pivotal role in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions, offering a whole energy cycle solution that will ‘unlock accelerated transition, whilst stimulating economic growth.

Mr Sawyer admits it’s a big plan, with Milford Haven having the potential to provide 20% of the UK Government’s low carbon hydrogen production target by 2030 as well as 10% of its floating offshore wind target.

“One of the things we have is a steady wind supply in Wales”

Heavy lift: The turbine under construction in Pembroke Dock (Image: Herald)

“We have tide and wind energy, and we need to adapt for these opportunities.”

We spoke about the £60 million Pembroke Dock Marine programme, which is designed to place Pembrokeshire at the heart of global zero carbon marine energy innovation while also helping tackle climate change.

The programme is expected to generate £73.5 million a year to the regional economy.

As well as having application across other blue economy industries, Pembroke Dock Marine will create the right conditions for the marine energy industry to flourish as the UK moves towards net zero decarbonisation targets.

Pembroke Dock Marine’s drive to maximise innovation and operational efficiencies will seek to drive down the cost of marine energy, while acting as a foundation programme that will support the growth of new initiatives in the region.

VALERO

As shipping movements currently account for 75% of the Port’s revenue I asked if he thought there was a future for the continued operation of Valero oil refinery in the long term. The plant is over fifty years old now, and some staff there have said it is showing its age.

In a nod to the predicted continuation of oil refining operations in Milford Haven, Tom Sawyer said: “The long-term future of Valero is in being here.”

Explaining that he could not speak for the management of Valero, he did say: “The refinery makes money, is thriving, and is operating at full speed.”

Valero Oil Refinery, Milford Haven (Image: PA)

Pointing across to the window he said: “There is barely a day when there is an empty berth on the jetty over there.”

“There will be oil tankers coming in and out of this harbour for the next twenty or thirty years. Hydrogen and electric vehicles cannot replace fossil fuels overnight.”

“In addition, there are other products such as bitumen which cannot be replaced by a hydrogen alternative.”

OBJECTIVES

I asked Mr Sawyer about how he saw his new role, and to define objectives. He said: “I see myself as the current custodian of this trust port. My aim is that when I do eventually hand over this office to the next chief executive, that I do so with the Port in a better state than when I took it on.”

“75% of what we do is move ships, and we must continue to do that in a safe, resilient, reliable way and provide the right services for our stakeholders.”

New boss: I am the current custodian of this trust port (Image MHPA)

In relation to stakeholders and the wider community, he added: “The Port does have social obligations”

“I look out of my window every day and see a multi-million-pound industry, but at the same time I am aware that around 30% of children in Pembrokeshire are living in poverty.”

“That’s something we need to look at and work collaboratively with our stakeholders and partners on”, he said.

The new Port boss promises that he is committed to the local community, stating the Port’s role as a Trust Port to “contribute to the future prosperity, quality of life and wellbeing of the people of Pembrokeshire”.

He explained the importance of the Port to the locality in economic terms, explaining that the Port supports 200 jobs directly – mostly employing local people – and that the energy sector around the Port provides, according to early recent economic analysis by Cardiff Business School – around 3,500 jobs in the communities immediately surrounding the Waterway.

Mr Sawyer added that he wanted to promote the Port’s Community Fund and the Green Energy Fund.

He said: “We have funding in place to support worthwhile causes in the local community. I feel that we need to promote our Community Fund more as last year it was not fully subscribed.”

There will be more information in The Herald in the coming weeks about these two funds.

DOCKS DEVELOPMENT

The Milford Waterfront development is something that Mr Sawyer says would continue. He praised the business partnership with The Celtic Collection in running the new 100-bedroom hotel on the marina.

He said: “In regard to the development of the area further, I am keen that this is done in such a way that it should benefit the town centre and not distract from it.”

Miflord Haven Docks Masterplan (Image: MHPA)

Mr Sawyer said that access between Milford Haven’s Charles Street and the Waterfront could be improved to facilitate this.

He said that he wanted there to be “more to do” at Milford Waterfront, and he said he did not want there to be only “places to eat and drink” but a range of activities to make the area more of an attraction – an example cited was a new canoe and kayaking businesses which was due to open soon near the old Cosalt building.

IMPROVEMENTS

We spoke about the November 2018 flood in Lower Priory and Havens Head.

There had been controversy at the time, with Stephen Crabb MP calling on the Port to take responsibility for the flooding. That never happened.

Mr Sawyer said: “There is a corporate recognition within the Port that communications between the various agencies and with residents were poor, and that things could have been handled better.

“There was no liability for the flood apportioned to the Port, but we should have been more forthcoming and supportive earlier on.

The Priory Inn, Lower Priory, Milford Haven on November 9 , 2018 (Pic: Herald)

“We do understand that we have a role in collective community responsibility.

Mr Sawyer added: “The Port of Milford Haven commissioned its own analysis, in which we found that no activity would have made any difference in preventing the flood, given the tidal nature of the docks.

“We have invested significantly on improvements – such as new covers for culverts – and these modifications will make it safer for our team to deliver a new ‘good housekeeping’ plan, ensuring that rubbish can be kept clear of the culverts.” The Port is also working collaboratively with PCC to look at longer term improvements.

THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

Mr Sawyer explained that the Port, which handles 20% of the UK’s seaborne trade, had to conduct more checks now to ensure compliance with sanctions against Russia. He said: “We have a due diligence process and are conducting checks and balances on embargoed items.

“We have a new system of multiple checks on cargoes and produce a daily assurance list to ensure that all cargo meets the threshold (of being legal),”

He added that despite sanctions, which the Port would monitor carefully, it was unlikely that there would be a turndown in business.

Business

Beggars Reach Hotel sold to local business family for £950,000

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A WELL KNOWN countryside hotel and event venue has been sold to local operators in a deal brokered by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.

Beggars Reach Hotel, located in the village of Burton and set within seven acres of landscaped gardens, has been acquired by a local business family with a strong track record in hospitality and retail. The family also owns an established fish and chip restaurant in the seaside town of Tenby, as well as other commercial property interests in the region.

The popular hotel features 30 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant, bistro-style breakfast room, and several function and event spaces – including a light-filled Orangery. With its sweeping views of the surrounding South West Wales countryside, Beggars Reach has become a sought-after venue for weddings, leisure breaks, and corporate events.

The property also holds planning permission for twenty additional guest rooms and a spa facility, offering the new owners scope for further development.

The transaction was supported by Christie Finance, who secured funding for the buyers within weeks of the sale being agreed.

Sam Roberts, Senior Broker at Christie & Co, said: “After the previous owner acquired the business through us early last year, unforeseen personal circumstances led to the need for a resale. We launched a full marketing campaign, which attracted strong interest, and we were able to secure a suitable buyer quickly. It has been a pleasure to assist with the sale of Beggars Reach for a second time, and we wish the new owners every success in taking the hotel forward.”

Tamara Ryan, Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, added: “It was an absolute pleasure to support our client with this acquisition. As an experienced and ambitious local business partnership, they have exciting plans for the hotel. We secured highly competitive funding within a few weeks of the offer being accepted, reflecting the strong appetite in the market for hotel investment.”

The hotel was sold off an asking price of £950,000.

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Crime

Man avoids jail despite possessing child abuse images

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A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been spared immediate custody after police found almost 70 indecent images of children on his mobile phone — including one image of a child aged around three whose hands and ankles were bound.

Andrew Davies, aged 36, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Apr 1), having earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children.

The court heard that officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at Davies’ home on Brewery Street in November 2022. Davies was present at the property and handed over a mobile phone along with the PIN code to unlock it.

Upon examination of the device, officers discovered 67 illegal images. These included nine category A images — the most serious classification — 14 category B images, and 44 category C images. The images had been downloaded and stored in a password-protected application.

Prosecuting, Sian Cutter said one of the images showed a child estimated to be three years old with their limbs restrained. She told the court that all of the material was accessible on the device and had been intentionally downloaded.

In mitigation, defence barrister Ryan Bowen said Davies was “under no illusion as to the seriousness of his offending”. He said the offences dated back to 2019, and that the matter had been hanging over Davies for several years.

Mr Bowen added: “He has no previous convictions and is of otherwise good character. He accepts responsibility for his actions and has shown insight and a willingness to address his behaviour. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards told Davies: “The possession and viewing of child sexual abuse images causes direct harm to real children. It is a very serious aggravating factor that some of the images involve children as young as three.”

Davies was handed three prison terms of eight, four and two months, to run concurrently, making a total of eight months. The sentence was suspended for two years.

He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and attend 25 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

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Business

Valero refinery escapes Trump’s new tariffs

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Fuel imports spared as US tries to avoid price hikes

THE VALERO oil refinery in Pembroke has escaped the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on UK and EU goods, following confirmation from the White House that all oil, gas and refined fuel imports will be exempt from the new trade restrictions.

A White House official said energy imports would be excluded entirely from the tariff measures (Pic: ABC)

On Wednesday (Apr 2), Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports into the United States, with higher duties targeting key trading partners including Britain and the European Union. The move has sparked fears of a deepening global trade war, with UK manufacturers, farmers, and exporters among those facing fresh barriers to the American market.

However, a White House official told Reuters that energy imports would be excluded entirely from the tariff measures. The exemption, which applies to crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel and jet fuel, is designed to prevent supply disruptions and price spikes in the United States, particularly on the East Coast, where fuel imports from Europe play a vital role.

Relief for Pembrokeshire

The announcement is a major relief for Pembrokeshire, where the Valero refinery at Rhoscrowther remains one of the area’s largest employers. Hundreds of local jobs depend directly on the refinery, with many more supported through contractors, hauliers, suppliers and businesses tied to the energy sector.

A local business owner in Pembroke Dock said: “This is brilliant news for the area. Valero keeps a lot of people in work around here, and the last thing we needed was more uncertainty from across the Atlantic.”

While other Welsh exports—including lamb, steel and whisky—face an uphill battle under the new tariffs, Pembroke’s key fuel production facility has been spared thanks to a combination of its strategic importance and ownership.

American-owned, Atlantic-focused

Valero Energy Corporation, which owns the Pembroke site, is a US-based multinational headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company is one of the largest independent refiners in the world, and acquired the Pembroke refinery in 2011 from Chevron for $730 million.

The deal also included a vast logistics and retail network across the UK and Ireland, including four product pipelines, 11 fuel terminals, a 14,000-barrel-per-day aviation fuels business, and more than 1,000 Texaco-branded forecourts—making it the largest branded dealer network in the UK.

At the time of the acquisition, Valero’s Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse said the move would allow the company to supply the US East Coast market more competitively, particularly after exiting US East Coast refining operations in 2010. “The Pembroke refinery remained profitable even during the depths of the economic downturn,” Klesse said. “We expect that it will be immediately accretive to earnings per share.”

Fuel to flow when economics align

The Pembroke refinery has a processing capacity of 270,000 barrels per day, making it one of the most complex and flexible in Europe. It produces around 3.6 million gallons of petrol and 2.2 million gallons of diesel daily and can process more than 60 different types of crude oil.

While exact export volumes to the United States are not publicly disclosed, the site is considered a key part of Valero’s Atlantic Basin margin optimisation strategy—designed to move fuel between Europe and the US when market conditions are favourable. Europe remains a major supplier of refined fuel to the US East Coast, where refining capacity has declined.

An energy analyst told The Herald: “Even if Pembroke isn’t exporting to the US every day, it’s a crucial part of Valero’s strategy. When the economics make sense, diesel or jet fuel from Wales can and does flow to the US. That’s why the White House exemption matters—it keeps those channels open.”

Wider Welsh economy still exposed

While Valero and the Pembroke refinery are protected under the exemption, other Welsh sectors are now facing harsh realities. Exports such as Welsh lamb, whisky, steel and car components are now subject to tariffs that could reduce competitiveness in one of Wales’ most important markets.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick said: “Donald Trump has launched a destructive trade war that threatens the jobs and living standards of people right across Wales. This needs to be brought to an end quickly, and the Prime Minister should be forming a coalition of allies—Canada, Australia, the EU—to stand against this. If the Government gives in to Trump’s threats, it will only encourage more bullying tactics in future.”

Looking ahead: volatile politics, stable demand

Although energy has been exempted for now, industry insiders warn that volatility remains high.

“The US exemption is about fuel supply and domestic prices,” the analyst added. “If demand or political calculations shift, exemptions could change too. Wales can’t afford to be complacent.”

One refinery worker put it more bluntly: “We’ve dodged this bullet, but with Trump, the safety’s always off.”

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