Former HS1, Crossrail and Eurostar boss takes the chair at London City Airport

As London City Airport continues to press ahead with its £500m development programme, Rob Holden has been announced as the airport’s new chairman.

The former chair for High Speed 1 (HS1), Eurostar UK Ltd and chief executive officer of Crossrail has been appointed as the new man at the helm. He replaces Sir Terry Morgan, who stepped down in September to take up the HS2 chair position.

Bringing vast experience and expertise in delivering transport and infrastructure projects, Holden is also currently chairman of the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) and holds non-executive roles at Electricity North West, EDF (for the Sizewell C Project), and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.,

London City’s new chair, said: “The investment in the airport is a huge vote of confidence, not only in the airport’s future, but also in London’s. The development programme, which is already underway, will make an already great airport even better, and I am looking forward to working closely with the Chief Executive, Robert Sinclair, and his executive team on taking this forward.”

London City is currently ongoing a massive transformation plan and is owned by a consortium of international investors, comprising of AIMCo, OMERS Infrastructure, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Wren House Infrastructure Management. 

The £500m City Airport Development Programme which is due to be completed by 2022 will consist of eight new aircraft stands, a full-length parallel taxiway and the quadrupling in size of the current passenger terminal.

Commenting on the new chair, Robert Sinclair, CEO of the airport, said: “Rob is hugely respected in the transport and infrastructure sectors, as well as across Whitehall. His experience will be an invaluable asset for London City Airport as we take forward our development programme, improve surface access, welcome more passengers and airlines and plan for our long-term future.” 

Hakim Drissi Kaitouni, chair of London City Airport’s Appointments and Remuneration committee, on behalf of the board, added: “Rob’s breadth of experience in delivering significant national infrastructure projects is unparalleled. He has mastered the delivery of best in class customer service and as such has the skills needed to oversee the next phase of development for London City Airport as we invest in the long-term sustainability of the airport. The shareholders and board are pleased to welcome Rob to London City Airport and look forward to working with someone of his experience in what promises to be an exciting period for the airport.”