Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, joins The Purposeful Strategist to discuss how he leads one of Europe’s busiest ferry ports, balancing its role as a national trade hub with its responsibility to local communities. Under Doug’s leadership, the Port facilitates £144 billion in trade each year, manages roughly one-third of UK-EU commerce, and keeps people, vehicles, and vessels moving with outstanding efficiency.
In this episode, he shares the Port’s evolving strategy, centred on its purpose of “Empower Exchange,” and explains why looking beyond short-term metrics allows for bold, long-term decisions that benefit the wider ecosystem. Doug also highlights the importance of trust and transparency in an organisation operating in full public view, and how the Port is advancing its Sustainability Agenda 2025 - including plans for the UK’s first high-volume green shipping corridor - while carefully balancing commercial growth with community impact.
Doug reflects on his own leadership philosophy, emphasizing proactive action, building trust, and upholding rigorous standards for safety, security, and sustainability as keys to navigating a period of significant transformation.