Gatwick airport unveils Baroness Margaret Ford as new chair

Baroness Margaret Ford of Cunningham will take over as chair of Gatwick in November, the airport has announced.

Ford will take over from Sir David Higgins, who has been chair since 2017 and will remain on the board as a non-executive director.

Ford sits as a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and has previously chaired four public companies and acted as a senior director for a further four.

She is due to step down from her current role with Deloitte, where she has served on its European and UK boards and its global advisory board, to take up the new position.

She said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role and look forward to working closely with shareholders VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners, the airport CEO Stewart Wingate and the executive team.

“London Gatwick is an important piece of our national infrastructure and has exciting plans for the future.  It’s important Gatwick continues to deliver good service levels, whilst working closely with all its stakeholders whether that’s on day-to-day operational plans or more strategically to facilitate long term sustainable growth and economic benefits for the region.”

Higgins said: “I am proud to have helped steer London Gatwick through some significant moments in the airport’s recent history, and in particular during almost two years when international travel was severely restricted due to Covid.

“I’m pleased that London Gatwick is well on the road to recovery and has shown its confidence in bringing forward exciting long-term plans for growth.  Baroness Ford is joining the airport at an important time and brings a wealth of experience.

“I look forward to continuing on the board and supporting Baroness Ford in achieving the airports vision as the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.”