In celebration of International Women in Maritime Day, Anna Malloy, Director of Communications, tells us about her longstanding career at the Port, and the exciting and varied industry opportunities that are there – for everyone.
Milford Haven is a famous port town, but what first attracted you to the maritime industry, and how did you get your start?
I grew up in Milford Haven and only left briefly to attend university. Strangely, I wasn't really aware of the Port's significance as a child, which shocks me now, especially since my dad worked at the port for over 30 years as a Coxswain on one of the pilot boats. This lack of awareness has fuelled my passion for ensuring that every young person in the towns and villages surrounding the magnificent Milford Haven Waterway knows about the scale of activity happening right on their doorstep, and how they can get involved. Today, Pembrokeshire offers so many exciting opportunities for young people.
After graduating from Swansea University with a degree in Business Management, I returned home to Milford Haven, but finding good jobs was a challenge. At 22, I gave birth to my daughter, Kaitlyn, and four years later, at 26, my son Charlie was born. Having children didn’t stop my ambition; in fact, they inspired me to work hard and push myself further.
When Charlie was just one, I saw a local newspaper advert for a Marketing Assistant position at the Port of Milford Haven. Finally, a local job where I could use the skills I gained during my degree! I was thrilled to get an interview, and I’ll never forget the moment the HR Manager called while I was at a mother-and-toddler group to offer me the job. I was ecstatic and accepted on the spot!
What have you enjoyed most about working in the maritime sector, and why?
What I love most about my 18 years at the Port is the variety, no two days are ever the same! The fast-paced environment means there’s always something new happening, creating endless opportunities to learn and develop skills. I also have to highlight the people. Throughout my career, I've been lucky to work with incredibly supportive managers, colleagues and even peers from other ports.
One of the most surprising things about the Port is the sheer range of roles available. The maritime roles like pilots, launch crew and marina operatives are the most visible, but it's easy to overlook the essential back-office support teams. These individuals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the Port operates smoothly, just like any other business. That's where I work.
Can you share a defining moment early in your career that confirmed this was the right industry for you?
Two years into my role, I joined a small team responsible for organising the UK’s largest ports conference, the British Ports Association Conference. Each year, a different port hosts the event, and in 2008 it was Milford Haven’s turn, coinciding perfectly with the Port’s 50th anniversary. There was a lot to accomplish and finding a venue spacious enough to host over 300 delegates and their partners was no small challenge. Fortunately, Bluestone, a luxury family holiday resort nearing completion at the time came to the rescue, and we managed to secure the entire resort for the week.
The event was an incredible success, and it turned out to be one of the best weeks of my career! It was amazing to see hundreds of maritime professionals come together in Pembrokeshire, explore the supplier exhibition showcasing innovative tools and technologies and attend conference sessions covering diverse topics such as safety, law, the environment and communities. It’s that same variety that truly drew me to this industry and solidified my passion for it.
How has your career progressed over the years, and what key steps helped you advance to a senior management position?
I’ve always been ambitious and committed to giving 100% to everything I do. That level of dedication comes naturally when you love your work. The Port of Milford Haven has been a fantastic place to grow, always encouraging and supporting staff development. Over the years, I’ve completed numerous Chartered Institute of Marketing courses, a Diploma in Managing Digital Media, and various programmes run by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations – all with the Port's wholehearted backing.
Beyond academic courses, I believe the key to success lies in a few additional steps: investing time in building relationships with colleagues and networks; putting yourself forward for responsibilities, even when you feel underqualified (imposter syndrome is something I still battle with!); and putting in the hard work. Being part of the senior management team comes with significant accountability, not just for your own area of expertise but for the entire business. It’s important to be curious about unfamiliar topics, be willing to challenge ideas and provide support where it’s needed.
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
Public speaking absolutely terrifies me even to this day. However, I’ve come to accept that it’s a crucial part of my job and I’m gradually becoming more comfortable with it. I’ve learned that even the most seasoned public speakers still get nervous, and that it’s actually a positive thing. So, while I don’t think I’ll ever fully conquer my nerves, I’ve embraced the fact that they’ll always be there. What matters is that I’ll do it anyway, and who knows? I might even turn out to be pretty good!
Marketing and communications cover a wide range of areas, let alone community relations, crisis communications and public affairs. Which aspect is your favourite, and how do you stitch it all together?
Yes, there’s definitely plenty to keep me and my team busy. I’d say my favourite aspect is community relations. The Port of Milford Haven is a Trust Port which means it has no shareholders. Instead, it’s accountable to its stakeholders, who could be anyone from a commercial customer to a local resident and everyone in between.
Because we are a for-profit but not for-dividend commercial organisation, we constantly invest time, energy and money in supporting our communities, our environment and our facilities to ensure that when I and my colleagues hand the baton over to our successors, the Port of Milford Haven and the Waterway are in an improved state. Being part of that story – and telling it – is what makes me tick. It's a fantastic model and unique to the United Kingdom.
Looking ahead, how do you see the industry evolving, and what advice would you give to someone aspiring to a leadership role in maritime?
The maritime industry is on the cusp of some truly exciting developments. Rapid technological advancements, the urgent push for more sustainable practices, and growing renewable energy sources are all set to drive significant change. Without a doubt, AI will revolutionise this historically tradition-bound industry. We can expect innovations like autonomous ships, AI-assisted navigation, smart port operations and zero-emissions shipping to become a reality. But we will evolve and the Port of Milford Haven will ensure that South Wales is positioned to support these major transitions.
However, skilled and professional people will always be essential to maintaining the UK’s position as a leading maritime nation. That’s why inspiring a diverse range of young people to consider maritime careers is so important to us at the Port of Milford Haven, and to me personally. Hosting groups of students from local schools and colleges is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role. The maritime sector has historically been fairly male dominated; however, we, and our industry partners, are working hard to inspire more females to consider a role in this exciting industry. It’s great that we’re now seeing increasing diversity across the industry as a result of this outreach. The scope of jobs available is huge, all of which can and are being done by a diverse range of people.
Originally written as a ‘People in Ports’ feature for the British Ports Association