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P&O Ferries Chief Peter Hebblethwaite to Step Down

The company cites family reasons after a 2022 mass redundancy scandal prompted plans for tougher seafarer pay rules.

Overview

  • P&O Ferries said Peter Hebblethwaite has communicated his intention to resign as CEO to dedicate more time to family matters.
  • The company indicated it expects to announce a successor in the near term, with no further details provided.
  • Hebblethwaite led the March 2022 decision to dismiss nearly 800 seafarers without consultation and replace them with lower‑paid agency crews.
  • He told MPs the firm broke the law by not consulting unions and said agency workers averaged £5.50 an hour, below the UK minimum at the time.
  • Unions renewed criticism of his tenure as the government advanced measures to prevent a repeat, including minimum‑wage equivalents in UK waters and tighter redundancy requirements.