UK Airport Managers

[User001]

thought I would put this here as covers a few UK airports, but, is there something in the air?

Tony Hallwood has left LBA
Paul Kehoe is leaving BHX
Ken O'Toole seems to have been replaced by someone called Collette Roche

Now, Andrew Cornish of LPL has resigned with immediate effect.

Is something about to happen to UK aviation that we cannot see, as it seems a fair few bosses making a very quick getaway!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

BREAFKAST ... i mean B(F)REXIT.

 

[Jerry]

Probably just coincidence that they've all resigned or been replaced or decided to move on around the same time. I know the aviation industry has the unknown of Brexit coming up and who knows what will happen with the economy but I'd be surprised if that was a factor. All I can guess is that running an airport and managing one must be one stressful job.
It may well be that for some of those people they feel they need a change in careers or that they've done as much as they could or it's possible some have been given a gentle shove because their bosses feel their airport has underachieved or is failing.

 

[superking]

john parkin has left leeds
paul kehoe is retiring
These 2 plus tony hallwood all worked at brs/

 

[Foxlimayankee]

Bristol Airport CEO Robert Sinclair will be leaving BRS in October to become CEO of London City Airport. Also part of the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan portfolio.

 

[Aviador]

Crikey another airport manager moving! They're all on the go.

 

[superking]

Crikey another airport manager moving! They're all on the go.

Yes that's true. How strange it it with all the movements of staff for what ever reason have all worked at brs as ceo except tony hallwood which he was route director at brs which I think he was the same at lba.
I know some news from the aiport is sensitive at times, but Robert Sinclair did his self no favours with the media as he kept things very close to his chest. Lets hope the new ceo will have more get and go than Robert Sinclair and will have a better relationship with the media.

 

[Aviador]

That's a very interesting point. I have always thought the airports that perform the best tend to interact better with social media. Look how BHX has been transformed in the hands of Paul Kehoe who is very in touch with social media. Clearly they have the same repertoire with airlines and business partners.

 

[Jerry]

Cardiff is very good with the media. Roger Lewis and Debra Barber are pretty good with them. The social media account is very good as well. Maybe BRS should look for a CEO who's a bit more media savvy.

 

[superking]

Cardiff is very good with the media. Roger Lewis and Debra Barber are pretty good with them. The social media account is very good as well. Maybe BRS should look for a CEO who's a bit more media savvy.

Perhaps we should look no further than Cardiff lol.

 

[Jerry]

Perhaps we should look no further than Cardiff lol.

Hands off! Lol

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Robert Sinclair - Bristol Airport

If he was going to leave, and nine years is arguably a long enough period for any CEO, now is as good a time as any with the major master plan re-evaluation due to take place in the coming months, the first for a decade. A new face, presuming that promotion does not come from within as BRS once did with the top job, will provide a fresh look at the situation. I think that Sinclair has done well but he had good material to work with.

I suppose that London City is a step up, even though it handles not much more than half BRS's passenger numbers at present, as it serves the heart of one of the world's major cities. I can see Sinclair doing a very good job there. His input to non-airport matters in the West Country will be missed.

Is he poor at media relations? When he is interviewed on radio or tv he comes across very well as an intelligent professional (as a qualified lawyer and accountant he should be reasonably bright at least) who knows his subject and is able to put it across articulately. His faint Kiwi accent is an asset in some people's eyes too.

His individual media prowess and the airport policy towards media relations are of course two entirely separate matters. The media pull-back seems to have occurred in the last two or three years. It might be because because the airport received a decent slap of egg in the face more than once, not least when a couple of years ago they suggested that a return of a NYC route was virtually in the bag for the following year. They have their own press officer who has been there for many years and he is highly competent, but he is no doubt guided by senior management as to what is put into the public domain.

Whoever is appointed as the new CEO will have a great opportunity to make their mark as the airport gears up for life up to and beyond 10 mppa (assuming that the planners allow the 10 mppa to be breached - I will be amazed if they don't although the usual suspects will try to stop it with lawyers again rubbing their hands).

BRS is an interesting counterpoint to CWL in the media relations stakes. In the final years under Spanish ownership CWL's media communication was almost non-existent and the little it did do was dire. Since public ownership and particularly since the new airport company chairman took office their approach has been revolutionised. It's interesting though that the CWL chairman does most of the big announcements whereas at BRS I doubt that many people had even heard of the airport company chairman, Janis Kong, who has an impressive track record of senior positions and directorships at major airports and in the travel industry. She rarely comments publicly on BRS although this time as the CEO is departing the task had to be hers.

For those who might not know her, this link to a personal interview gives a brief pen picture.

http://www.winserlondon.com/style-agenda/janis-kong

 

[Aviador]

Don't BRS managers have to do NCL and then LBA? #justsaying

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Don't BRS managers have to do NCL and then LBA? #justsaying

It has been known. Although Paul Kehoe went to BHX and Robert Sinclair is off to LCY.

BRS has been augmenting its senior management team in recent months.

If it was a football club the new man (or woman) whoever it turns out to be would be bringing in their own staff. Probably airports don't operate like that despite them being followed by many 'supporters' in the way that football fans follow and support their team.

 

[Aviador]

Chris Sanders appointed new Aviation Development Director at Leeds Bradford Airport Leeds Bradford Airport has appointed Chris Sanders as its new Aviation Development Director. Chris will begin the role with immediate effect and brings with him a wealth of experience in the airport sector, having previously spent eighteen years at Newcastle Airport with his most recent role being Aviation Development Director. Before moving to Newcastle Airport, Chris began his career at British Airways working in their network planning, revenue management and information management departments. He then worked in the UK rail industry for long distance operator InterCity. At the time of rail privatisation, Chris moved to York to work on the East Coast route, his final position being Commercial Manager for GNER. Chris Sanders, Aviation Development Director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “I am delighted to join the team at LBA as the airport continues to celebrate record passenger numbers. This is down to the dedication shown by the staff working here. Of course there is room for improvement, but that is the exciting phase this business is embarking upon under the leadership of recently appointed CEO David Laws. “Having spent a number of years previously living and working in Yorkshire, I am aware of how important the airport should be to the people and businesses of the region. I look forward to making sure that we continue to improve for business and leisure communities in and around Yorkshire The more this airport is used then the easier it becomes to grow existing routes and attract new services which will help increase this region’s connectivity. I want LBA to be an airport we can all be proud of for its contribution to the regional economy.” The airport now operates to over 70 destinations in 25 countries and has grown passenger numbers by 6% over the last 12 months to 3.7 million passengers. LBA is a major contributor to the economic development of the region and new investment is underway to improve and expand the operations. David Laws, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris Sanders to the airport as we continue our development. “I have worked with Chris for a number of years and know he shares my passion for aviation development. We now have the widest choice of flights available from LBA and our aim is to ensure we offer the very best choice of destinations for both business and leisure passengers.”

LBA PRESS RELEASE