New President and CEO announced for BC Ferries

The British Columbia Ferry Service Board has reached into the head office of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia to find their next President and CEO.

The Board announcing on Tuesday that after an International search, that Mr. Nicolas Jimenez will take on the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.

He will take on his duties as of March 6th.

Joy MacPhail the Board Chair outlined the thinking behind the decision and what Mr. Jimenez will bring to his new post as part of Tuesday's announcement statement.

“Nicolas Jimenez is the right leader at the right time for BC Ferries. He is a change leader with a proven track record of success. He is customer focused with a deep commitment to financial accountability and rate affordability. 

Nicolas is a thoughtful, strategic leader who is committed to enhancing safety, reliability and affordability. BC Ferries is facing a series of challenges including staffing shortages, service interruptions and fleet revitalization. Nicolas Jimenez is no stranger to big challenges and I know he will bring fresh ideas, innovative solutions and a renewed focus on the customer experience.”

He takes on the role from Interim CEO Jill Sharland who stepped into the post on a temporary basis in July following the departure of Mark Collins, who was offered best wishes on his future endeavours by Ms. MacPhail in July of 2022.

The new President and CEO held a number of roles at ICBC over twenty years, serving as President and CEO five years ago. 

Mr. Jimenez would be a familiar name for Ms. McPhail who joined the BC Ferry Services Board in June 2022, after having served as a Board member at ICBC from 2017-2021

The Northern Adventure in port in Prince Rupert

He will be taking on his duties during another period of controversy for BC Ferries which has faced a range of issues of late, including ongoingscheduling challenges on many of its routes, including those  of the North Coast-Central Coast and Haida Gwaii.

Such have been the challenges for residents of Haida Gwaii, that BC Ferries management have heard often from regional politicians as to the need to improve service, the topic one that even made it to the Resolutions work for the UBCM in September of 2022.

You can review further notes on BC Ferries from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.