Menzies names ex-Serco boss as chief executive

Baggage handler and newspaper distributor John Menzies today named the former head of outsourcing group Serco’s UK and Europe arm as its first chief executive for more than seven years.

The Edinburgh-based firm said Jeremy Stafford, who has previously worked for British Airways and BT, takes up the role on 2 October.

Menzies has operated without a chief executive since the departure of Patrick McDonald in 2007, but last month said it would be resurrecting the position as it announced the resignation of aviation managing director Craig Smyth.

The group’s chairman, Iain Napier, said: “We are at an exciting stage of our development with strong growth opportunities and Jeremy, with his strategic vision and extensive experience of operational management and contracting in a business to business environment, is the ideal person to lead us forward.

“Working alongside our existing experienced management teams I am confident that we will deliver significant shareholder value.”