Port director is hailed green champion

Associated British Ports’ port director, Hull and Goole, Matt Jukes has been honoured as ‘The Yorkshire Post Green Champion for 2011’ at the Yorkshire Post Environment awards.

The annual awards ceremony aims to recognise and celebrate the best of the important environmental work being undertaken across the region.

The Yorkshire Post sponsored award is given to the individual who does the most to promote environmental measures and conservation and leads the green agenda.

Television presenter Julia Bradbury presented the award, which recognises Matt Jukes’ key role in attracting Siemens to build an offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility in Hull.

The Green Port Hull project has the potential to be the single biggest influence on Hull and the Humber’s economy for generations, generating around 800 direct jobs as well as acting as a catalyst for, potentially, thousands of additional jobs through extensive supply chain opportunities for business throughout the Hull and East Riding area.

Matt Jukes said: “I am highly honoured to receive this award, however, the project has only been able to reach this stage due to the efforts of the entire Green Port Hull team within Associated British Ports and our partnerships with both Hull City Council and The University of Hull. The attraction of the scheme is also, in no small part, due to the incredible support of the public and wider business community within the city and throughout the region. I would, therefore, like to dedicate this award to all of these people who have helped get the project to where it is today“.