90th Annual Dinner - Oct 2022 - Report & Photos

Despite considerable traffic congestion and roadworks resulting in delays, the Bristol Maritime Trade Association held it’s 90^th Annual Dinner in the 1^st Class Dining Saloon of Brunel’s SS “Great Britain”.

The Members and their esteemed guests were welcomed by the President with the Keynote speech of the evening being delivered by Matthew Tanner the CER of the Great Britain Trust. After dinner entertainment was provided by Ex- Royal Protection Officer Richard “Dick” Griffin.

The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers 2022 Award Ceremony

Edward (“Ted”) Renshaw Award

Catherine Roperto (Ted Renshaw’s Daughter) and her husband Bruno attended the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Prize Giving ceremony at Trinity House, which unfortunately clashed with Association Dinner.
During the course of the evening Catherine was introduced to Kevin Shakesheff, the ICS International President, who told her that he remembered her father well from Genchem, and that he was much respected for his integrity in business. In his opening address Kevin congratulated the prize winners and thanked all the sponsors, without whom he said there would be no ceremony. He also extended his thanks to the Bristol Maritime Trade Association for supporting the ceremony.

Catherine also met Robert Hill, the ICS Director, and who talked to them about the importance of education in shipping and the big commitment that goes on behind the scenes to prepare students, who then go on to win prizes and take excellence in shipping practice worldwide. Her husband later told Robert that he wished he'd recorded Robert's speech, which was very moving and referenced my Dad's contribution.

Catherine also was very pleased to meet the staff of the Institute’s London Office, who broke her heart with the good things that she said about her father. It seems the Captain's Blue Glass Decanter is a great favourite in the office as the staff are also involved in selecting the winner, whom they will often have known personally and for many years.

The Bristol Maritime Trade Association Tony White Award 2022

At the Association’s 90th Annual Dinner aboard the ss “Great Britain” in October the winner of the 2022 “Tony White” was announced, the winner being, Tony Dent of the Bristol Port Company.
Tony started his career at Bristol Port 44 years ago on 30th January 1978 as a Clerical Officer in the Finance Department (in other words, the Post Boy). He was 19. He moved through various positions during the following 20 years, including Accounts Clerk, Assistant Industrial Relations Officer and Personnel Officer, before finding his niche in the Commercial Department in 1996 and then becoming Motor Vehicles Trade Manager in 2001 – the role in which we all know him best and in which he has made such an impact. He was promoted to Director - Automotive Trade in 2015.

His ingenuity, drive and dedication has transformed The Bristol Port Company to become the UK’s largest car import facility, with an outstanding safety record and employment for 75 full time employees, over 100 part time employees and a further 1,000 individuals related to the automotive trade.

This exceptional record, and Tony’s lead role, has been recognised, with Tony being invited to receive numerous international awards from Shipping Lines for being ‘best in class’, including the NYK 2017-2022 damage free award for 15 consecutive years and the Grimaldi Best Port in Europe Award in 2018.

Success on some scale could have been achieved without care for people or goods, but Tony would never have been satisfied with carelessness. The Bristol Port Company’s safety and quality standards are the envy of their competitors, although the irony of his surname “Dent” is often lost! It is Tony’s dedication to detail that has driven, from the front, this critical aspect of the business. The current accident frequency rate is 1 damage per 67,000 cars handled (the industry norm is 1:15,000).

Since the inception of the “Tony White” prize back in 2016 this is only the 2nd occasion that the prize has been made which gives you as clear indication as to the feelings of the Bristol Shipping fraternity as to the contribution that Tony Dent has personally made not only to the Port but also to its community as a whole.

The BTMA President, David Pegg, hands over the 2022 “Tony White”Award to Tony Dent - Director - Automotive Trade