Qube’s former chief operating officer Paul Digney has now officially commenced his new role as the company’s managing director.
His appointment was announced in late February after then managing director Maurice James announced he would be stepping down, with plans to retire later this year.
Digney officially took the reins on July 1, 2021. He has over 30 years’ executive management experience in supply chain and port logistics roles across Australia.
Digney established Liberty Cargo Systems in the 1990s and provided port logistics and international freight forwarding services. Patrick Corporation Limited acquired the company in 1999 and it became the platform for the Patrick Port Services Division. As general manager, a role he held until 2006, Digney expanded the new division through growth and acquisitions which became Patrick Logistics Division.
In 2007, he and other former Patrick executives led an investment consortium to acquire management control and ownership of the former P&O Trans Australia, now Qube Logistics.
He became chief operating officer of the Qube Group in 2016 and now moves into the role of managing director.
“The transition period from February 2021 through to today’s announcement has enabled a smooth transfer of the managing director’s responsibilities,” Qube said in a statement.
“Mr James will work out his six-month notice period remaining involved in the Moorebank monetisation process. Mr James will also continue as a nonexecutive director of Patrick Terminals and will be available to provide ongoing support to Mr Digney as needed. After he retires at the end of December 2021, Mr James will, if required, continue assisting with ongoing aspects of the Moorebank project whilst remaining a nonexecutive director of Patrick Terminals.
“The board of directors wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to Mr James for his dedication and invaluable contribution since his appointment as Qube’s inaugural managing director over 10 years ago.
“Mr Digney’s employment arrangements have been determined taking into account the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations as well as industry practice.”