Chief Executive Officer

Situated on the beautiful coastline of Ayrshire, Glasgow Prestwick Airport is proud to be the longest serving commercial airport in Scotland offering a diverse range of services as a 24/7 operational Airport covering 880 acres.

On 22 November 2013, the Scottish Government acquired Prestwick Aviation Holdings Limited and associated companies. The business case and business plan prepared in acquisition demonstrated that the Scottish Government’s ownership would be undertaken on a commercial basis. This means any investment by the Scottish Government is undertaken in this way. Whilst operated as a Public Corporation, it is on a commercial basis and at arm’s length from the Scottish Government.

GPA is a non-typical secondary / regional airport. It does not focus on any one revenue source or segment in the aviation market. Its business is derived from contributions across a range of commercial activities, including; passenger services, freight, military, maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO), fixed-base operations (FBO), fuelling and commercial letting.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has had a challenging history and there is a fundamental need to transform and modernise the business to sustained profitability. Positive and robust steps are already in place and the operating losses are reducing year on year. The Operating Board was created in 2015, with the appointment of a new board in the second quarter of 2018. One of the key actions for the new board was to initiate a strategic review and prepare recommendations for discussion with the Scottish Government in early 2019. This was accompanied by the contract extension of the interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) until December 2019 and the permanent appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in September 2018.

These events have triggered the opening of a refreshing and exciting chapter for the airport. The new Executive Team have taken immediate action to improve all aspects of performance with a particular focus on continuous improvement, reducing costs and increasing existing and new revenue streams. This has resulted in breakeven results over the 2018 summer period for the first time in a number of years. The strategic review being carried out also gives the opportunity to consider a range of strategic choices within the context of GPA’s future possibility as a Spaceport.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Non-Executive Chair, the CEO will have a central remit for all aspects of the airport’s commercial, safety, operational, cultural and financial performance; they will drive change leadership with an eye to the medium term as well as the short and the multi-dimensional stakeholder relations.

The search is based on the current contract expiring late 2019. Essential criteria for the role will be the ability to demonstrate strong change leadership and a track record of successfully driving and implementing a transformational agenda needed to achieve sustained profitability.

As the leader of GPA’s Executive team, you will be accountable for the development and achievement of the strategic goals and objectives of the company.

The key responsibilities are:

• To provide strong change leadership and give direction to the Executive Team toward achieving the Company’s vision, strategy, goals and objectives and to hold them accountable
• Create the leadership capability to deliver the business objectives and at an affordable cost
• Inspire, drive and lead a positive change and growth minded culture that centres around the positive development of people and the resulting services on offer.
• Lead the airport in accordance with the transformational agenda including strategy review decisions and reshaping the execution strategy as implementation roles out.
• Create commitment and energy for any changes throughout the employees and inspire confidence in the future direction.
• To be accountable for specific safety related tasks as contained with the GPA Safety Management System (SMS) manual.
• Represent the company to win new business, retain existing business and build quality flexible relationships with key stakeholders including government and and commercial partners
• Remain knowledgeable on top global industry best practice

More Information / How To Apply

Further information is available by requesting the full candidate brochure or arranging an initial confidential conversation with Michael Dickson at FWB Park Brown.

To apply please send your CV and current remuneration details to Michael Dickson at FWB Park Brown at applications@fwbparkbrown.com, or call Michael to confidentially discuss further on 0131 539 7087.