Stansted Airport: MAG confirms Transport for London deputy commissioner Gareth Powell as new managing director to replace Steve Griffiths

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has appointed Gareth Powell as the new managing director of Stansted Airport.

Mr Powell, who succeeds Steve Griffith, previously spent 19 years at Transport for London (TfL), most recently as deputy commissioner and chief customer and strategy officer leading TfL's recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: "This is an exciting time to be joining the country's leading group of airports and taking the reins at London Stansted.

"The whole team at Stansted has done a superb job seeing it through the challenges of the pandemic and coming out the other side as one of the top-performing airports in the UK. I can't wait to get stuck into continuing that solid recovery, growing the airport sustainably and providing the best possible service to our passengers and airlines."

MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish said: "I am delighted to be welcoming Gareth to the business. His considerable operational, commercial and strategic experience will make him a great addition to our executive team and help us realise our ambitions for London Stansted."

During his time at TfL, Mr Powell managed around £5bn of revenue and a workforce of more than 3,000 people, as well as key stakeholder relationships including with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Greater London Authority and the Department for Transport.

Mr Griffiths takes the helm at East Midlands Airport, which is also operated by MAG. There he will take forward the next phase of the cargo strategy for the UK's busiest pure freight airport.

Under his leadership, Stansted became the UK's fastest-recovering airport as Covid-19 travel restrictions were removed.

Mr Cornish said: "I would like to thank Steve for his achievements during his time at Stansted. He will take this experience and acumen to East Midlands as we look to maximise the role it plays in supporting UK global trade."