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Charlie Cornish to stand down as CEO of Manchester Airports Group
The chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Charlie Cornish, is standing down from the role to become chair of the group’s board, it was announced today.
Mr Cornish will take over from current chair, Sir Adrian Montague, from October 1, said MAG, which owns and operates Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands.
Announcing a senior leadership team shake-up, the group also confirmed Ken O’Toole, currently MAG’s deputy CEO, will take over from Mr Cornish as chief executive on the same date.
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MAG said Sir Adrian has given the board notice of his intention to retire as chair at the end of September this year. Making the announcement on Wednesday, the group said Mr Cornish has led the business for the last 13 years.
In a statement, he said: “The last 13 years have been an incredible time for aviation. We’ve seen fantastic opportunities and some unprecedented challenges. Through all that, it’s been a great privilege for me to build and lead the UK’s largest airports group, working with a fantastic team of colleagues to grow the organisation and our contribution to the UK economy.
“I am delighted that Ken will be succeeding me as CEO, and I look forward to supporting MAG’s continued growth as its chair over the coming years.”
Mr Cornish joined as group CEO in 2010.
He was previously managing director of Utility Solutions, the commercial business of United Utilities (UU), and also worked for a number of manufacturing and service companies including Plessey Telecommunications, British Aerospace and ABF.
Mr O’Toole, currently MAG’s deputy CEO, has responsibility for the strategic development of the group’s three UK airports.
He joined MAG in 2012 and has held several senior executive roles including chief commercial officer, chief executive of London Stansted Airport and chief executive of Manchester Airport.
“This is an exciting time to be taking the reins for the next stage in MAG’s development,” he said. “Having delivered a successful recovery over the last year, the outlook for our three airports and our digital business, CAVU, is really strong.
“Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands play vital roles in their regions, and our brilliant people, supportive investors and clear plans for growth – both in the UK and overseas – mean we are primed to make the most of these opportunities.”
Outgoing chair Sir Adrian said: “After helping to guide MAG for nearly a decade, especially through the pandemic, and with succession to the key roles now secured, my job is essentially done and now is the right time to hand over the Chair to Charlie. The speed with which people and businesses have returned to international travel shows the bright future for aviation and for MAG in particular.”
The group’s airports served 54 million passengers in the 12 months to March 2023.
MAG is owned by a combination of public and private shareholders, including Manchester City Council, IFM Global Infrastructure Fund and the nine other Greater Manchester local authorities.
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