leadership

John Williams

Founder and Executive Chairman

John Williams is the founder and Executive Chairman of Maritime Transport and has been a prominent industry figure for more than four decades. Relocating from Wales to Felixstowe in 1977, he went on to establish and lead a number of successful transport businesses before acquiring Maritime in 2001. As Executive Chairman, John has played a key role in shaping Maritime’s strategic direction, supporting its growth from a specialist container transport operator into a leading provider of integrated road and rail freight logistics. His leadership has positioned the business at the forefront of industry change, with a strong focus on operational excellence, long-term investment, and sustainability. More recently, John has been instrumental in guiding Maritime through its next phase of development, championing innovation across road and rail freight, including the deployment of eHGVs and high-powered charging infrastructure, and driving the transition to lower-carbon transport solutions. He continues to provide strategic oversight and guidance as the business evolves.

Chris Lewis OBE

Deputy Chairman

Chris Lewis OBE is Deputy Chairman of Maritime Transport and has more than 40 years’ experience across the UK ports and logistics sector. Chris rejoined Maritime in 2022, having previously worked with the business as Non-Executive Director. Prior to this, he held senior leadership positions at the UK’s three largest container ports. During this time, Chris played a leading role in the modernisation and expansion of UK port infrastructure, driving improvements in digital capability, operational performance, and long-term investment to strengthen the UK’s ability to support global trade. Chris brings this depth of experience to Maritime’s strategic development and national infrastructure ambitions. In recognition of his contribution to the UK ports and logistics industry, Chris was awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year Honours.

Simon Smart

Chief Executive Officer

Simon Smart is Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Transport and brings extensive operational and leadership experience from across the logistics sector. Simon joined Maritime from Securicor in 2002 and has progressed through the business in a number of senior roles. He was appointed a director in 2004, became Managing Director of Maritime’s intermodal division in 2012, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2018. Having worked across multiple areas of the organisation, Simon has a strong understanding of Maritime’s people, operations, and customers. As Chief Executive Officer, he leads the day-to-day management of the business, supporting its continued development and growth in line with Maritime’s long-term ambitions.

Richard Lond

Chief Financial Officer

Richard Lond is Chief Financial Officer of Maritime Transport and has held senior finance roles within the business for more than 20 years. Originally from a professional practice background, Richard entered the transport industry in 1995 and joined Maritime in 2003. Since then, he has played a central role in the development of the company’s finance capability, including the delivery of major investment programmes and acquisitions as the organisation has expanded. Richard was appointed Finance Director in 2011 and became Chief Financial Officer in 2023, overseeing Maritime’s financial function and capital investment decisions across a large national logistics operation.

Tom Williams

Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Tom Williams is Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Transport and has played a leading role in delivering major operational and strategic change across the business. Tom joined Maritime in 2011 and was appointed to the board in 2016. He later became Managing Director of the company’s intermodal division before being appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer in 2023, reflecting his progression through the organisation and depth of operational experience. Tom continues to lead one of the industry’s most ambitious decarbonisation strategies, overseeing the national deployment of eHGVs and high-powered charging infrastructure. This includes the rollout of Maritime ZERO, and Maritime’s role as a leading participant in the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, helping to shape a national blueprint for commercial zero-emission transport.

Alex Williams

Managing Director – Distribution

Alex Williams is Managing Director – Distribution of Maritime Transport with responsibility for the company’s distribution division. Appointed to the board in 2019, Alex has been closely involved in several strategic initiatives, including the expansion of Maritime’s intermodal capability and the delivery of major infrastructure projects. With a career background rooted in distribution, he was appointed Managing Director in 2021 and has since overseen significant growth following Maritime’s diversification into the sector in 2011. Alex has also spearheaded the development of innovative distribution solutions, most notably Maritime’s first domestic rail service, driving modal shift and providing customers with greater access to lower-carbon, rail-linked distribution.

Andrew McNab

Property Director

Andrew McNab is Property Director of Maritime Transport, with overall responsibility for the development and expansion of the company’s national property portfolio spanning transport depots, rail terminals, and container storage facilities. Andrew has more than 30 years’ experience across ports, logistics, and infrastructure, including senior roles at Hutchison Ports UK, Securicor, and DHL. He joined Maritime in 2001 and has since led significant property and infrastructure investment across 40+ locations, facilitating the company’s growth across intermodal and distribution operations and strengthening long-term capacity and resilience across the network. Andrew has also overseen major investment in modern offices and welfare facilities for drivers and staff, raising standards across the Maritime estate and ensuring sites are fit for a modern, sustainable logistics operation.

John Bailey

Managing Director – Intermodal

John Bailey is Managing Director – Intermodal of Maritime Transport, overseeing all container operations across road, rail, and terminals. John joined Maritime in 2001 from Securicor and has held a range of senior operational roles within the business, culminating in his appointment as Managing Director – Intermodal in 2020. Bringing more than 30 years’ experience across the logistics sector, John has led Maritime’s strategic expansion across the UK's intermodal sector, including the development of new rail freight terminals and services linking major UK ports with inland markets to drive modal shift and offer increased resource to businesses nationwide. Under his direction, Maritime has quickly emerged as the UK’s leading provider of integrated road and rail freight logistics, committed to operating the cleanest, most sustainable full load supply chain in the country.

James Andrews

IT and Marketing Director

James Andrews is IT and Marketing Director of Maritime Transport with responsibility for technology, digital, data, and marketing strategy. Joining Maritime in 2008, James has held a range of senior leadership roles, gaining extensive experience in contract management, fleet, operations, and systems development. He joined the board as IT Director in 2019 and assumed responsibility for marketing in 2021. James has led major technology and digital transformation programmes at the heart of Maritime’s growth and operational performance. His remit spans enterprise systems, innovation, cybersecurity, data, and analytics, as well as brand, marketing, and customer engagement, ensuring technology and commercial strategy are closely aligned. Under his leadership, Maritime has strengthened its position at the forefront of logistics innovation, using technology to improve efficiency, visibility, and sustainability across the supply chain, while supporting the company’s long-term commercial ambitions.

Shaun McConnell

Human Resources Director

Shaun McConnell is HR Director of Maritime Transport, providing strategic leadership of the HR and Payroll function. Shaun brings over 20 years’ experience leading HR functions across logistics, infrastructure, and education, including senior roles at Hutchison Ports UK where he led the HR Service Centre at the Port of Felixstowe, and Colchester Institute, where he headed the HR function as a member of the Executive Team. Joining Maritime in 2019 as HR General Manager, Shaun has played a key role in the evolution of the company’s people strategy during a period of significant growth, strengthening HR governance and capability across a workforce of over 3,600 employees. Appointed HR Director in 2020, Shaun brings a strong focus on culture, leadership, and engagement, ensuring Maritime continues to attract, develop, and retain talent as the business grows.

Paul Heyhoe

Fleet Director

Paul Heyhoe is Fleet Director of Maritime Transport overseeing one of the UK logistics sector’s largest commercial fleets. Paul joined Maritime in 2004 and has progressed through a series of senior operational leadership roles, including Depot Manager, General Manager, and Operations Director, before being appointed Fleet Director in 2020. This breadth of experience has given him a detailed, practical understanding of large-scale fleet operations within a complex, safety-critical logistics environment. In his role, he leads fleet strategy, maintenance, and utilisation, ensuring the highest standards of vehicle safety and regulatory compliance across a fleet covering over 104 million miles each year.

Matt Heath

Fleet Sales Director

Matt Heath is Fleet Sales Director of Maritime Transport, bringing more than 20 years’ experience across transport operations, fleet management, and commercial vehicle sales. Matt began his career with Maritime in 2003 and, after two years in an operational role, went on to establish Secondhand Trucks, the company’s fleet sales arm. Under his leadership, Secondhand Trucks has grown into the UK’s leading commercial vehicle reselling business, evolving far beyond resale to offer vehicle preparation and customisation, flexible purchasing solutions, and end-to-end support spanning vehicle selection, preparation, and handover. Appointed Fleet Sales Director in 2021, Matt continues to lead Maritime’s fleet sales strategy, overseeing vehicle lifecycle management and ensuring fleet sales activity is closely aligned with the company’s wider commercial and operational priorities.