ABP Strengthens Humber Property Team with Appointment of Ben Wood and Stephen Robinson as Lead Asset Managers

Stephen Robinson (left) and Ben Wood (right) have been appointed to strengthen ABP’s asset management offering.

(IN BRIEF) Associated British Ports has appointed Ben Wood and Stephen Robinson as Lead Property Asset Managers for its Humber property team, enhancing its capacity to develop and manage its extensive land portfolio. Operating from ABP’s Hull and Immingham offices, they will lead asset management, property development projects, and customer relationship building to support ABP’s strategy of expanding its real estate footprint. Ben brings nearly 20 years’ experience from Canada Life Asset Management, while Stephen joins from DB Cargo UK with a background in rail and large infrastructure asset management. Their appointments support ABP’s ambition to unlock underutilised land, pursue strategic acquisitions, and strengthen the Humber ports’ position as the UK’s leading trade gateway.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 14-Aug-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, has strengthened its Humber property team with the appointment of Ben Wood and Stephen Robinson as Lead Property Asset Managers. Based across ABP’s Hull and Immingham offices, they will be responsible for driving new property development opportunities, building relationships with customers, and managing asset and development projects across ABP’s extensive Humber land holdings.

ABP operates four ports in the Humber—the UK’s largest trading gateway by volume—and holds significant development land with ambitions to acquire further strategic sites. This proactive approach to expanding and utilising its property portfolio is central to ABP’s mission of supporting resilient logistics supply chains and positioning the Humber ports as the gateway of choice for trade.

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director for the Humber ports, welcomed the appointments: “We see these roles as pivotal to the future development pipeline and revenue growth of the business. From unlocking the potential of underutilised land within our ports to identifying strategic acquisitions, Ben and Stephen will help strengthen the property asset management function and deliver long-term value.”

Greg Lacey, Head of Property (Humber), added: “Ben and Stephen bring impressive track records in asset management and will be instrumental in driving the expansion of our investment portfolio. Their expertise will further enhance our ability to deliver outstanding development options for our customers and continue the growth of our diverse property portfolio.”

Ben Wood joins ABP after nearly 20 years at Canada Life Asset Management, where he managed the company’s core value-add property portfolio, following five years with Coral Estates as Divisional Estate Manager. Speaking on his appointment, Ben said: “ABP’s diverse real estate portfolio, from open storage and development land to industrial warehousing and manufacturing facilities, presents exceptional opportunities. We are already master planning exciting developments on both sides of the Humber, including Stallingborough Interchange and HIEP, and I look forward to forging strong new business relationships.”

Stephen Robinson joins from DB Cargo UK Limited, where he served as Senior Property Asset Manager for the North of England and Scotland. His career also includes senior property roles at Network Rail, including Asset Manager for London Euston during the HS2 project. Stephen commented: “ABP is a forward-thinking organisation in a strong growth phase. I’m excited by its innovative approach to unlocking new opportunities in the ports sector and the challenges that come with it.”

As one of the UK’s largest property and landowners, ABP’s property team is focused on broadening its reach and securing new clients, with Ben and Stephen’s appointments set to play a key role in delivering the company’s ambitious development pipeline and future revenue growth.

Media contacts:

Tim Morris
Head of Corporate Communications
tim.morris@abports.co.uk
Mob: +44 (0)7850 501 903

Pressiana Naydenova
Corporate Communications Manager
pressiana.naydenova@abports.co.uk
07702900830

SOURCE: Associated British Ports