Executive Committee

You can view the biographies of any of our executive committee. 

Colin Matthews,
Chief Executive Officer
Colin was appointed BAA’s Chief Executive Officer in 2008. He is an experienced FTSE100 CEO who has led a number of service and industrial businesses in several countries. Prior to joining BAA, Colin was Group Chief Executive of Severn Trent plc. Managing Director of BA Engineering for British Airways plc, and later Executive Director of Lattice Group plc and Group Chief Executive of Hays Group plc. 

"BAA's ambition is to provide world-class airport infrastructure for the UK and passenger service standards to match. My job as chief executive is to ensure that the company has the right strategies, people and systems to achieve those challenging objectives. By doing so to the highest standards of honesty and professionalism, we will deliver great results for shareholders, staff and indeed all other stakeholders."

Luis Sánchez Salmerón,
Deputy Chief Executive Officer 
Luis was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in July 2006. He has held a number of senior appointments in the construction and finance sectors. These include Managing Director of Ferrovial Airports; Managing Director, Acciona Infrastructure Concession; Finance Director, Concession Holding Valora, Executive Director, RMG; and Chief Finance Officer, Dragados Service Division.

"My role is to act as the interface between BAA and its shareholders in Airport Development and Investment Limited, of which Ferrovial is the majority shareholder."

José Leo,
Chief Financial Officer
José was appointed BAA’s Chief Financial Officer in September 2006. Prior to joining BAA he was Group Finance Director of Amey plc and former Managing Director of Ferrovial Telecomunicaciones responsible for managing Ferrovial’s investments in the telecommunication sector. José was also a Director of the Spanish telecommunication operators ONO and UNI2, and Chief Finance Officer and Business Development Manager at the Spanish construction company Agroman.

“I’m the numbers person, ensuring that we build strong relationships with our investment community and deliver value for our shareholders. I also have responsibility for the IT function.”

Dr Duncan Garrood,
Commercial Director
Duncan joined BAA in February 2004. His portfolio includes BAA's retail and marketing activities, property, supply chain and relationships with airlines. Previously with Unilever and the Johnson Family of Companies, he has fulfilled a variety of production, sales, marketing and general management roles both in the UK and for many years in Asia. His most recent role prior to joining BAA was as Regional Director for Asia Pacific where he was heavily involved in mergers and acquisitions as well as business unit performance improvements.

"My role is to ensure that the airports for which I'm responsible deliver the best possible service and facilities for travellers and our airline partners whilst returning a good commercial return for our shareholders."

Terry Morgan,
Airport Services Director
Terry joined BAA in 1980. During his career Terry has held a variety of positions including Special Advisor to the Chairman and Chief Executive of BAA and Chief Executive Officer for Australian Pacific Airports Corporation at Melbourne Airport. More recently Terry was Managing Director of BAA International and later Managing Director of Stansted Airport. He was also Divisional Director for BAA’s South East Airports prior to his current position as Airport Services Director which he started in 2007.  

"I'm responsible for providing executive level focus and accountability for airport services."

Mike Forster,
Strategy Director
Mike joined BAA in 1997 and was appointed Design Director in 1998. He was appointed Terminal 5 Development and Design Director, and Group Development and Design Director. He later became Business Strategy Director for Heathrow Airport and shortly after Strategy and Development Director at Heathrow. In 2007 he was appointed as BAA’s Strategy Director and was also appointed as a member of BAA’s Executive Committee. Prior to BAA, Mike was a partner at Sheppard Robson Architects.

"My job is to ensure there is joined-up thinking across the business, looking primarily at cross-airport strategy, operational solutions and master plans."

Andrew Wolstenholme,
Capital Projects Director
Andrew joined BAA in 1996 as Deputy Construction Director for Heathrow Express. He was Head of Projects at Heathrow, Group Construction Director and later became Project Director for Terminal 5. In 2007 he was appointed as Director Capital Projects and Terminal 5 Project Director before his appointment as Capital Projects Director on BAA’s Executive Committee in September 2007. Before joining BAA, Andrew worked in the UK and internationally as a Director at ARUP, a leading design and business consultancy firm. He also spent four years in the British Army, resigning his commission as Captain in 1984 to pursue a career in civil engineering.

"I'm primarily responsible for efficient capital spend and ensuring critical projects are delivered on time."

Fiona Rodford,
Group HR Director
Fiona joined BAA in November 2007 as Group HR Director and is a member of BAA’s Executive Committee. She began her career with House of Frazer as a graduate trainee, buyer and store manager progressing through the ranks to Personnel Manager of their corporate headquarters. Fiona has held various other HR Director positions during her career with Lend Lease Europe Ltd, Thomas Cook UK Ltd, Pagoda Consulting Ltd and Alliance & Leicester plc.

"My job is about ensuring that we focus on our people and that we build great teams, not only so that we all enjoy our work, but more importantly that the customer enjoyed their experience with us!"

Tom Kelly,
Communications Director
Tom joined BAA in 2007 as Communications Director and is a member of BAA’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining BAA, Tom worked for the civil service as Director of Communications for the Northern Ireland Office, and from 2001 to 2007 as the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman. Tom began his career as a graduate trainee reporter with the Belfast Telegraph and later as a Reporter, Producer and Assistant Editor with BBC Northern Ireland Radio Current Affairs. In 1987 he joined the BBC as Producer for Newsnight and went on to be political Editor and later News Editor for BBC Northern Ireland and later as Editor of Talkback, BBC Northern Ireland. 

"Good, open communication with all our stakeholders is essential to a successful company. It's mine and my team's job to deliver just that."

Stephen Peat,
Managing Director, Airports Division
Stephen was appointed as Managing Director for BAA’s Airports Division in July 2008. Previously he was Operations Director with Tube Lines. Stephen was Managing Director for Amey Rail and earlier as Managing Director for Amey Rail Maintenance. Stephen has also held a number of senior director roles in the construction industry including Regional Director for Tarmac Building South West Ltd and as Contracts Manager for Wimpey Construction.

"I have overall responsibility for all BAA's airports outside Heathrow. It is my job to ensure that all of these airports deliver improvements in customer service whilst at the same time giving all our people opportunities to grow and develop."

David Johnston,
Procurement Director
David was appointed as Procurement Director in June 2008. He joined BAA as Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport in May 2007. Prior to this he was Operations Director at Thorn Lighting Ltd, and has spent his career within the manufacturing sector, predominantly within the automotive industry. Previous experiences include a management buy in with Venture Capitalists.

"My role is to ensure that we bring professional supply chain management to the organisation. We have to provide a competent supply base giving excellent value for money whilst meeting our environmental and social responsibilities."

Mike Brown,
Chief Operating Officer Heathrow
Mike was appointed Chief Operating Officer, BAA Heathrow in September 2008. Prior to this Mike was Chief Operating Officer at London Underground Limited who he has been with since joining their management development programme in 1990. Before joining London Underground Ltd, Mike worked within Brand Management at Ranks Hovis McDougall plc.

"I am responsible for delivering an excellent operation across Heathrow Airport through effective management of people and relations with our customers."

Philip Langsdale,
Chief Information Officer
Philip was appointed Chief Information Officer in September 2008 and joined BAA’s Executive Committee. Philip has a strong and relevant background in top IT roles at Asda, Cable and Wireless, Midland Bank and at the BBC, where he was Chief Executive of BBC Technology. He has also acted as an IT adviser to British Airways. Most recently, Philip was a managing partner of an independent consultancy business, Langsdale Crook LLP.
 
"I am delighted to be joining BAA at such an exciting time. My role is to ensure that we have the right systems and IT infrastructure in place to deliver the services our customers and stakeholders need in a simple, modern and efficient."

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