Heathrow appoints delivery commercial director for expansion

Heathrow has announced that Emma-Jane Houghton will be joining the airport as delivery commercial director for expansion in February 2019.

Houghton will be joining Heathrow from KPMG, where she worked as a director for the infrastructure advisory group since January 2014, working on collaborative partnerships, alliances and joint ventures. Chartered quantity surveyor Houghton previously also worked at both Mott MacDonald and Turner & Townsend in their infrastructure divisions.  

Houghton has advised on a wide range of high profile infrastructure projects including Heathrow Terminal 5, the East London Line extension and the London 2012 Olympics. She has significant experience covering the breadth of the construction supply chain in the client, consultant, main contractor and subcontractor arenas across the transport, power, utilities and water sectors. Her background will prove invaluable to Europe’s busiest airport as she gears up to deliver one of the country’s biggest and most critical infrastructure projects. 

He will start her new role just before Heathrow shares its preferred masterplan for public consultation next year. Houghton will be accountable for procurement, contracts and cost and will immediately be involved in the shortlisting of the Heathrow innovation partners, inviting companies to pitch their ideas that will help the airport deliver expansion more sustainably and affordably.

Commenting on her appointment Houghton said: “Heathrow expansion is a once in a lifetime opportunity to revolutionise the UK’s infrastructure and construction sectors and I’m excited to be a part of it.  I have spent the past 15 years developing my expertise in how the best client, consultant and contractor relationships work and I look forward to joining expert teams to create a world class expanded airport.  Having started my career at Terminal 5 I am delighted to be returning to Heathrow.”

Heathrow expansion programme director Phil Wilbraham added: “We’re delighted to have Emma-Jane joining our team. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise will be essential as we near a crucial point in our expansion delivery and finalise our masterplan that will be up for public consultation next year.”

Welcoming the appointment, ACE chief executive Hannah Vickers commented: “This is a great move for Heathrow Airport and Emma-Jane’s extensive experience in innovative commercial arrangements will be a huge asset in getting the best out of the industry, so we can all get this iconic project over the line. ACE and its members are ready to support the delivery of this critical infrastructure and we look forward to working closely with Emma-Jane and the airport to deliver this project as smoothly as possible.”