Queen's Birthday Honours: Portsmouth shipping director made MBE for swapping desk for 65ft crane

Tireless worker Steve Williams, operations director at the city council-owned cargo handling firm Portico, took on the frontline work as several staff were off with symptoms. It meant that he didn't see his family, who live in Lincolnshire, for three months as he kept Portsmouth’s port moving.

Now he has been named in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to shipping in the first few months of the pandemic.

The 59-year-old, who has 30 years’ experience in the industry, took a refresher course to operate the crane so he could unload ships - and is credited for inspiring staff at Portico through lockdown.

Shoppers stripped supermarket shelves at a rapid pace as coronavirus panic swept Britain.

Thousands of pallets kept coming into Portsmouth port and grandfather-of-six Steve, who stayed in the city away from his wife and grandchildren 200 miles away in Grimsby, was able to get them on their way to stores.

Steve boosted morale, helping in warehouses and working long hours to get the critical job done.

Dad-of-three Steve has paid tribute to his wife Mandy, 57, for supporting him in his career, and when he stayed in the city for three months instead of travelling home each week so he could work weekends.

He said: ‘I am very shocked, humbled and proud.

‘I have spent over 34 years in the industry, supported throughout by my beautiful wife, so this honour is recognition for us both.

‘No honour would be received without the support of your co-workers, and I am proud that the industry is recognised as key workers, supporting the country through these very difficult times.

‘Although it was a difficult decision to remain in Portsmouth, away from my family with no end date, being on site at Portico was my duty.

‘It was a privilege to support the team in any way I could help, for as long as it was needed.’

Steve has been highly praised by Portico director Mike Sellers, who also runs the port.

‘Steve would be too modest to discuss any of his efforts, praising his management team and also staff for all stepping up,’ Mr Sellers said.

‘However it’s because he led by example that everyone at Portico was inspired to continue working hard.

‘Steve stepped into a range of positions, helping in warehouses and unloading ships, clocking up long hours and visiting the site daily to help staff morale.

‘If that wasn’t tough enough, it was against the backdrop of being away from his family, especially his wife who was alone in Lincolnshire.

‘I want to thank Steve for the selfless part he played making sure vital goods kept moving to where they were needed most.’

Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said Steve put in ‘100 per cent’ despite being isolated from his family being ‘particularly hard on him mentally’.

He added: Steve has gone above and beyond his responsibilities and his award is extremely well deserved.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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