Amazon boss named Clydeport director

Peel Ports Group has appointed the head of one of Amazon’s biggest UK depots as its new port director in Scotland.

Jamie Strain will lead Peel Ports Clydeport, overseeing sites including Hunterston PARC in Ayrshire, KGV Dock in Glasgow, and the Port of Greenock and nearby Inchgreen Marine Park. He replaces Jim McSporran, who retires later this month.

Strain said: “I’m proud to be joining Peel Ports and to have the opportunity to lead the Peel Ports Clydeport business at such an exciting time.

“Having spent much of my career leading large teams and complex operations, I’m looking forward to bringing that experience here.”

Strain was site lead general manager at Amazon’s Dunfermline distribution centre, a depot the size of 17 football pitches with four miles of conveyor belts and more than 3,000 staff. He spent 13 years at Tesco before joining Amazon as an operations manager, and led the Dunfermline site for six-and-a-half years, including through the Covid-19 surge in online demand.

The appointment comes as the UK’s second largest port group continues redeveloping Hunterston PARC, expected to attract £3.5bn of inward investment and create over 5,000 jobs. Peel Ports has also welcomed two £25m ship-to-shore cranes at Greenock in the last two years and invested £3m last year to boost capacity at King George V Dock for wind turbine components.

David Huck, chief operating officer at Peel Ports Group, said: “It’s great to welcome Jamie into the role of our new port director in Scotland – he was the standout candidate for the position.

“His experience and expertise make him a perfect fit for this role as we prepare to further grow the business here in Scotland.”

Huck also thanked McSporran, who joined the business in 2020: “He has been an excellent leader and colleague, and he leaves with all our thanks.”