Sir Michael previously served as managing director of the 213-year-old group for 19 years and succeeds Paul Drechsler who is stepping down after five years. Tony McDonough reports 

One of Liverpool’s oldest businesses – Bibby Line Group (BLG) – has announced that former managing director Sir Michael Bibby is to be its new chairman.

Sir Michael previously served as managing director of the group for 19 years and is currently a non-executive member of the BLG board. He succeeds Paul Drechsler who is stepping down after five years as chairman.

Established as shipping company in Liverpool in 1807, BLG is now a diverse, £800m-turnover business, operating in 16 countries and employing 4,000 people in retail, financial services, distribution, marine and construction equipment hire.

Late last year it sold its 57,000 sq ft former headquarters in Liverpool’s Duke Street for an undisclosed sum and moved its 150 local employees to Walker House, Exchange Flags, in the city’s commercial district.

Most recently Sir Michael has been President of the UK Chamber of Shipping and chairs Charities Trust and the Institute of Family Business Research Foundation. His two-year term as President of the Chamber of Shipping completed in March this year.

He said “The company has come through a very difficult time in our trading history and I look forward to working closely with the executive team to grow and develop the group through our core businesses, as we seek to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities provided by a rapidly changing business landscape.

“I would like to thank Paul for his unending drive, motivation, professionalism  and wise counsel as chairman over the last five years and hope he does not miss his trips up to Liverpool.”

Paul Drechsler added: “I am delighted that once again the chairmanship of Bibby Line Group will be in the hands of a Bibby family member. Sir Michael knows the businesses well, is a great champion of the group’s Giving Something Back CSR charity programme, and like colleagues across the group lives the company values.”