Leeds Bradford Airport appoints Hywel Rees as Chief Executive
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced the appointment of Hywel Rees as Chief Executive Effective 20 May
Hywel is an experienced executive in the airports and infrastructure sectors, with airport operating experience at leadership team level. He joins LBA from AMP Capital, where he has been a senior member of the asset management team for around five years, with a focus on airports. He was the asset director for Newcastle Airport, which has been an AMP Capital managed asset for more than six years, and in that time has seen year on year growth. He was also the asset director for London Luton Airport on behalf of AMP Capital, which owns a 49 per cent stake.
Hywel joins at a transformative time for LBA and will focus on delivering the strategic priorities for the airport, including growth in passenger numbers, route development across regional and international destinations and delivering the new terminal building.
Hywel says: “I am delighted to join Leeds Bradford Airport and look forward to working with the team to grow the airport long-term and deliver a high-quality service experience. I know what a positive contributor Leeds Bradford Airport is to the local economy and am excited by the opportunity to work with the airport staff and our key partners including airlines, government and the local business community.”
Chairman of LBA, Andy Clarke, says: “We are very pleased Hywel is joining us as Chief Executive. His understanding of airports at a leadership level, particularly their crucial contribution to the local regional economy, will be valuable to the airport as we embark on the next stage of our growth and cement the airport’s position as a gateway to and from the Yorkshire region for leisure and business passengers, both internationally and closer to home. Hywel has the experience to take the airport to new highs.
“I’d also like to thank Chief Financial Officer Paul French and Operations Director Simon Whitby who have undertaken joint leadership responsibilities while we completed the search for a new Chief Executive.”
Hywel’s appointment completes an external search following the retirement of former Chief Executive Davie Laws last month.
Hywel Rees Bio: Hywel Rees is an experienced executive in the airports and infrastructure sectors, with experience of operating airports and other infrastructure businesses at leadership team level. Mr Rees began his career in the steel industry in 1991. He has 20 years’ experience of running transactions in the airports and infrastructure sectors, including UK and international project financings and airport M&A transactions. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, Leeds Bradford Airport, Mr Rees was asset director and is a board member for Newcastle Airport and London Luton Airport in the UK and has served on the boards of Melbourne Airport in Australia and Alpha Trains in Europe. Before joining AMP Capital, he spent 10 years at Ferrovial, the Spanish construction and airports conglomerate. Whilst at Ferrovial, Mr Rees sat on the Leadership Committee of BAA/Heathrow’s Airports Division (comprising Stansted, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports). Prior to that, he was a senior member of the team at Ferrovial's support services subsidiary, Amey plc. Hywel has degrees from Exeter University and Kings College, London.
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced the appointment of Hywel Rees as Chief Executive Effective 20 May
Hywel is an experienced executive in the airports and infrastructure sectors, with airport operating experience at leadership team level. He joins LBA from AMP Capital, where he has been a senior member of the asset management team for around five years, with a focus on airports. He was the asset director for Newcastle Airport, which has been an AMP Capital managed asset for more than six years, and in that time has seen year on year growth. He was also the asset director for London Luton Airport on behalf of AMP Capital, which owns a 49 per cent stake.
Hywel joins at a transformative time for LBA and will focus on delivering the strategic priorities for the airport, including growth in passenger numbers, route development across regional and international destinations and delivering the new terminal building.
Hywel says: “I am delighted to join Leeds Bradford Airport and look forward to working with the team to grow the airport long-term and deliver a high-quality service experience. I know what a positive contributor Leeds Bradford Airport is to the local economy and am excited by the opportunity to work with the airport staff and our key partners including airlines, government and the local business community.”
Chairman of LBA, Andy Clarke, says: “We are very pleased Hywel is joining us as Chief Executive. His understanding of airports at a leadership level, particularly their crucial contribution to the local regional economy, will be valuable to the airport as we embark on the next stage of our growth and cement the airport’s position as a gateway to and from the Yorkshire region for leisure and business passengers, both internationally and closer to home. Hywel has the experience to take the airport to new highs.
“I’d also like to thank Chief Financial Officer Paul French and Operations Director Simon Whitby who have undertaken joint leadership responsibilities while we completed the search for a new Chief Executive.”
Hywel’s appointment completes an external search following the retirement of former Chief Executive Davie Laws last month.
Hywel Rees Bio: Hywel Rees is an experienced executive in the airports and infrastructure sectors, with experience of operating airports and other infrastructure businesses at leadership team level. Mr Rees began his career in the steel industry in 1991. He has 20 years’ experience of running transactions in the airports and infrastructure sectors, including UK and international project financings and airport M&A transactions. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, Leeds Bradford Airport, Mr Rees was asset director and is a board member for Newcastle Airport and London Luton Airport in the UK and has served on the boards of Melbourne Airport in Australia and Alpha Trains in Europe. Before joining AMP Capital, he spent 10 years at Ferrovial, the Spanish construction and airports conglomerate. Whilst at Ferrovial, Mr Rees sat on the Leadership Committee of BAA/Heathrow’s Airports Division (comprising Stansted, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports). Prior to that, he was a senior member of the team at Ferrovial's support services subsidiary, Amey plc. Hywel has degrees from Exeter University and Kings College, London.
