Commenting on the appointment of John Denholm CBE as Chairman Designate of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), UK Chamber Chief Executive, Rhett Hatcher said; 

We welcome the appointment of John Denholm as Chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping from 2026. 

The appointment comes in a pivotal period for the global shipping industry, and international leadership will be essential to shape the future of our community – be it in the drive towards decarbonisation, energy transition, seafarer safety and welfare or the evolution of global trade. 

The UK Chamber will continue to work in close collaboration with the Chairman, new ICS Secretary General Thomas Kazakos, and national associations to deliver on these shared challenges, and to ensure that the shipping industry is equipped to navigate today’s volatile geopolitical landscape through unity, resilience, and industry-wide collaboration.

During the meeting in Athens, Thomas Kazakos formally took up the post of Secretary General of the ICS, succeeding Guy Platten, who has held the position since 2018. Rhett, added; 

On behalf of the UK Chamber, I wish to offer sincere gratitude to Guy Platten for his dedicated tenure as Secretary General of the ICS, and welcome Mr Thomas Kazakos as his successor, wishing them both the very best of success in their new endeavours. We look forward to working with Thomas and the ICS team in the years ahead.

John Denholm CBE is a Past President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, and a current Supervisory Board Member. He will take up the post of Chairman in 2026 

He is also Chairman of J. & J. Denholm Limited, a family-owned business with interests spanning shipping, logistics, seafoods, and industrial services.

His appointment was announced at the ICS Board Meeting in Athens on 12 June, by new ICS Secretary General, Thomas Kazakos.