Ken O’Toole will take over the role from Charlie Cornish, who has led the business for the last 13 years, on 1 October. O’Toole is currently MAG’s deputy chief executive, responsible for strategic development of its three UK airports – Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands.

O’Toole joined MAG in 2012 and has held roles including chief commercial officer and chief executive posts at Manchester and Stansted. Cornish will be elevated to the role of chair of the MAG board following the retirement of  Sir Adrian Montague at the end of September.

Cornish joined MAG in 2010 as group chief executive, overseeing the acquisition of Stansted in 2013 and the launch of Manchester airport’s £1.3 billion transformation programme in 2015 plus the development of airport services business Cavu. 

Cornish 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 Ken will be succeeding me as chief executive, and I look forward to supporting MAG’s continued growth as its chair over the coming years.”