Heathrow chief executive Matthews announces departure

heathrow has begun the search for a new boss after chief executive Colin Matthews yesterday announced his departure from the airport operator having served six years in the top post.

Colin Matthews has led Heathrow for six years. Picture: Getty

Matthews, who joined the group around the time of the troubled opening of its Terminal 5 facility, will stay until the new Terminal 2 is launched this June. He said yesterday: “It has been a privilege to serve as chief executive of Heathrow for the last six years.

“With a strong leadership team, the company continues to raise standards of passenger service, improve efficiency and reduce costs.

“The opening of Terminal 2 in June this year is a further important step in the transformation of Heathrow and long-term prospects are bright following the decision of the Airports Commission to shortlist our proposal for a new runway. So once Terminal 2 has opened later this year, I have decided the time is right to pass on the baton.”

Matthews started the job as the chief executive of BAA, when it owned a raft of airports including Edinburgh, which was sold in 2012. The renamed Heathrow Airport Holdings still owns Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton.

Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of Heathrow, said: “Heathrow has commenced a search for a successor for Colin Matthews with the aim of having a new chief executive in place later this year and after Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal has opened.

“Colin has done a fantastic job of improving Heathrow for passengers and will remain as chief executive until his successor is in place to ensure a smooth transition.”

Prior to joining Heathrow, Matthews was group chief executive of Severn Trent.