Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2006, Palmer took early retirement in April 2008 but continued to keep in contact with many colleagues throughout the industry. He recently finished writing a book about his career and experiences, entitled “Through the lock gates: a life in ports”.
Nick Palmer joined ABP as a management trainee in 1980. His career with ABP took him to numerous ports, including Fleetwood, Garston, Hull, Goole, King’s Lynn and Southampton, as well as the group’s South Wales ports. He also served as general manager of Red Funnel.
Having served as deputy director of Grimsby and Immingham – the UK’s largest port – he did a spell as ABP’s shortsea ports director before returning to the Humber as port director of Grimsby and Immingham. After retiring, he moved to Suffolk.
James Cooper, ABP chief executive said: “Nick was a hugely influential figure during his time with ABP. He progressed through a variety of roles before becoming a very successful port director of Grimsby and Immingham on the Humber in 2004. On the way, he had taken on the challenge of forming the Short Sea Ports region in 2002, when 11 of our ports were merged into a single business unit.
“He commanded great respect and affection – not only at ABP but throughout the industry and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his wife Julie and his family.”
His wife, Julie, said: “We are immensely proud of the way Nick coped with his illness, never once asking ‘why me?’ or having a moment of self-pity. His motto was always to live life to the full and he continued to practise that right to the end.”
As well as wife Julie, he leaves a son and daughter, Mark and Megan.
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