Bad press was expected to hamper the recruitment of a new freeport chief, a report has claimed.

Former freeport director Nolan Gray left his role and the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) has confirmed the role would not be replaced as “the task of establishing the freeport has been successfully completed”.

A meeting has heard Mr Nolan ended up a “very expensive ambassador” once he had got the freeport up and running and other “very eminent people” could now represent it.

The Northern Echo: Nolan Gray left his role has director of the Teesside FreeportNolan Gray left his role has director of the Teesside Freeport (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

A Teesside Freeport report says a replacement for Mr Gray would have taken six months or more. And it was expected to be “hindered” by restrictions in the labour market and recruitment of similar positions at five other freeports.

The report outlines a third factor: “Negative press which could limit the number of applicants (crustations [sic], ownership, access rights).” It sets out a proposal to split the job into roles of head of freeport and investment director.

The TVCA has faced controversy over matters including the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) and Teesworks, which has just prompted an investigation by a government-appointed panel, and the mass crustacean die-off along Teesside’s coastline.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove this week appointed a three-person panel to look into the STDC and Teesworks Joint Venture and consider allegations of corruption, illegality and wrongdoing alongside governance and financial management.

TVCA group chief executive Julie Gilhespie told a Teesside Freeport governance board meeting on Wednesday (June 8): “Nolan has left the organisation. I think Nolan felt that he’d kind of done the job he set out to do in terms of getting the freeport established.

“Now that’s all done and it’s moved into operating mode, he felt it wasn’t a big enough job for him. He’s gone off and done some other things, which he does with our very best wishes.

"He’s been absolutely crucial to the establishment of Teesside Freeport and I don’t think we could have done it without him.”

She said most of the governance role would be taken by officers in the combined authority like freeport manager Liz Hutchinson, while business board members would take on ambassadorial duties “over the next six months while we look at what we do to replace him”.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “I think we’d probably all like to put on record our thanks to Nolan for the work he did helping us get the thing up and running and signing off fully with government with the full business case.”

The Northern Echo: Ben Houchen has thanked Nolan GrayBen Houchen has thanked Nolan Gray (Image: LDRS)

PD Ports executive chairman Jerry Hopkinson asked about the arrangements following Mr Gray’s departure: “Is that driven by principally a pragmatic position that you’ve had to take, ie. that you can’t find a single titular head? Or was it your strategy to divide the role ultimately in the event that Nolan left?”

Ms Gilhespie answered: “It was always intended in the long term that would be absorbed within the governance of the combined authority. In setting it up and establishing the business case, there was a need for a more senior person to lead that work.

“I don’t think that’s needed now. We haven’t quite worked out how big a role that is.

“Nolan himself said he just didn’t see it as a full-time job and that’s one of the reasons why he decided to go and do other things. We have other people who can support those things as and when needed.

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“I think the plan is to give it a few months and see what happens and then take a view on what the appropriate person is at that level. We’ve already got a whole range of very eminent people who can represent the freeport when needed.”

Mr Houchen added: “He ended up becoming, with the greatest of respect, a very expensive ambassador who was turning up at conferences in the end. We’re waiting to see. We’re looking at, are there other aspects we could build into that role to make it a fuller role.”

A TVCA spokesperson later said: “As discussed in the meeting, with the departure of Nolan Gray, the role of freeport director will not be replaced as the task of establishing the Freeport has been successfully completed. As the freeport is now up and running, the seniority of the position and its related functions are no longer required.”