Posted on August 26, 2026
The Port of London Authority (PLA) has announced the appointment of Fabienne Viala and Cordi O’Hara OBE FEI as Non-Executive Directors to its Board, bringing further senior expertise in major infrastructure, engineering, safety-critical operations, governance, investment, sustainability and stakeholder engagement to an already highly qualified and experienced team.
Fabienne Viala will join the Board on 1 September, succeeding Toril Eidesvik when her term finishes on 31 August, and is a Secretary of State for Transport appointment to the Board in line with the PLA’s governance structure. Cordi O’Hara will also start on 1 September, serving as a Non-Executive Director designate until she succeeds Sue Mackenzie when her term finishes at the end of this year.
The appointments will strengthen the Board’s oversight as the PLA continues to manage the tidal Thames in trust for future generations, support the sustainable growth of the UK’s largest port and its customers, ensure navigational safety, and deliver the long-term ambitions set out in Thames Vision 2050.
Jonson Cox CBE, Chair of the Port of London Authority, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Fabienne Viala and Cordi O’Hara to the PLA Board. They each bring outstanding experience from nationally important engineering, infrastructure, regulated and safety-critical environments, and will add valuable insight as we continue to deliver for river users, port customers, communities and the environment.
“Toril Eidesvik leaves the Board on 31 August and, in anticipation of Sue Mackenzie’s retirement from the Board at the end of this year, we have taken the opportunity to make two appointments now. We thank Toril and Sue for their experience, judgement and commitment as they have helped guide the PLA through an important period for the port and the tidal Thames, and we are grateful for the service they have given.”
Fabienne Viala
Fabienne Viala is a civil engineer and senior infrastructure leader with more than 35 years’ experience across construction, energy and infrastructure in the UK and France. A former Chair and Chief Executive of Bouygues UK and UK Country Manager for Bouygues Construction, she has led complex, high-value programmes across healthcare, education, data centres and regeneration, with a strong focus on operational performance, safety, risk and long-term value creation.
She brings to the PLA Board deep experience in major engineering project delivery, infrastructure investment, governance, audit and risk, and sustainable construction. Her board and stakeholder experience, including HS2 Ltd, Build UK and her six years as President of the French Chamber of Commerce in Great Britain, will support the PLA’s work with government, industry, customers and river communities.
Cordi O’Hara
Cordi O’Hara OBE FEI is President of National Grid UK, where she is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of National Grid’s transmission and distribution network and portfolio of sub-sea interconnectors. She has held senior executive roles across National Grid and Centrica, including President of National Grid Electricity Distribution, Chief Operating Officer of National Grid’s US Gas Business, and Director of the UK System Operator.
She brings extensive experience in safety-critical operations, risk management, regulatory oversight, capital investment, commercial strategy and the net zero transition. Her work developing and operating major energy assets, engaging with governments and regulators, and chairing and serving on sector bodies will add further strength to the PLA Board’s strategic oversight of long-term infrastructure, resilience and public value.
The PLA Board is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategy, ensuring its long-term success and maintaining the highest standards of governance. As a trust port with no shareholders, the PLA is accountable to its stakeholders and has a statutory duty to manage the tidal Thames in trust for future generations.
