The Airport Operators Association (AOA), which represents the interests of UK airports, has announced the appointment of Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith as its new chair.
McGregor-Smith, a portfolio Non-Executive Director and Advisory Director, will take up her position from 1 September 2019, replacing the outgoing Chair Ed Anderson.
“Ruby has a wealth of experience in business and she joins the AOA Board at an important time for the sector,” said Vice Chair of the AOA, Nick Barton.
“With the Government intending to set out an Aviation Strategy in the coming year and the UK’s exit from the EU, this is a crucial time for the AOA to lead the agenda for a successful and sustainable airport and aviation sector.”
McGregor-Smith currently holds positions at Thames Tideway Tunnel, Mace Group and the Department for Education, and previously served as the Chief Executive of MITIE Group plc, a UK facilities management company.
She was granted a life peerage in 2015 and is the Chair of the Office for Tackling Injustices and a member of the Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee in the House of Lords.
She also chaired the Women’s Business Council from 2012 to 2016 and was behind the independent report ‘Race in the Workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review’ in 2017.
“The AOA is uniquely placed to influence the strategic direction of the sector and to capitalise on the opportunities and challenges ahead,” said McGregor-Smith.
“Aviation has never been more important than now: as the UK leaves the EU, aviation will be one of the crucial facilitators and enablers of the UK’s future prosperity. Ensuring that the framework is in place for UK airports to deliver on that potential, requires a strong and leading trade association.”
