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OBE for Chris Lewis

[ January 5, 2026   //   ]

Maritime Chairman deputy chairman, Chris Lewis, has been awarded an OBE in the 2026 New Year Honours for his outstanding contribution to the UK ports and logistics sector.

With a career spanning more than four decades, he is one of the most influential figures in the UK ports industry and has held senior leadership positions at the country’s three largest container ports – the Port of Felixstowe, DP World Southampton, and DP World London Gateway.

Chris Lewis began his career in information technology and was instrumental in the early digital modernisation of port operations at the Port of Felixstowe, leading the introduction of systems that significantly reduced customs clearance times and improved container handling efficiency, helping to establish Felixstowe as a leader in digital port operations and setting benchmarks later adopted across the wider sector.

Alongside this, he was closely involved in securing planning approval for major port expansions at multiple UK locations and overseeing significant infrastructure investment.

As UK Chief Executive at DP World, Chris was responsible for both Southampton and London Gateway. During this period, he established a two-port strategy that encouraged a more balanced use of the UK’s container port network, improving resilience and providing greater continuity of service during periods of disruption.

Since rejoining Maritime in 2022 as deputy chairman, he has applied this depth of experience to the expansion of the company’s national infrastructure network, helping to shape major logistics and inland development projects across the UK.

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