A HAMPSHIRE industrial complex celebrating its 70th anniversary has a new manager.

Riccardo Cavallo has succeeded Simon Downing as head of Fawley refinery, which occupies a huge site on the western shores of Southampton Water.

Mr Downing has retired after more than 35 years with ExxonMobil, including four as Fawley manager.

The first Fawley refinery was a 670-acre facility established in 1921 by the Atlantic, Gulf and West Indies (AGWI) Oil Company.

Esso, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, began building a new refinery in 1949 after acquiring a further 3,000 acres of land. The first stage of the complex came on-stream in 1951.

Mr Cavallo has more than 20 years' refining experience with ExxonMobil in Italy, the UK and more recently in Australia and New Zealand.

He said: "For over 70 years ExxonMobil has operated at the heart of the New Forest community, providing high value employment and making a key economic contribution and I am proud to be part of its exciting future.

"Fawley’s strength is the integration of the refining and the chemical sites, but the quality and commitment of the Fawley people is what makes this place special.

"I am looking forward to continuing to work together to address the dual challenge of meeting the future energy needs of consumers and businesses while working to support the UK’s net zero ambitions.’’

Fawley, the UK's largest refinery, makes automotive fuels and lubricants, aviation fuel, and lubricants for industrial and commercial applications.

The site provides enough fuel to power one in every five vehicles on Britain’s roads.

A neighbouring but integrated chemicals complex, which manufactures a range of base chemicals, plasticisers and butyl rubber, is led by plant manager Richard Henderson, an ExxonMobil veteran with more than 34 years’ experience.

Together, the Fawley site employs more than 2,500 skilled employees and contractors and supports about 2,000 supply chain companies.

Paul Greenwood, lead country manager and chairman of Esso UK, said: "Riccardo has extensive operational experience that befits the UK’s largest refinery.

"As the site looks towards the future, his knowledge and experience will help us continue evolving to meet changing needs and expectations.”