Prestwick Airport finance chief steps down

Prestwick Airport has started the search for a new chief financial officer after Grant McLeod decided to step down in search of “new opportunities”.

Grant McLeod will leave Prestwick in September. Picture: John Devlin

McLeod, a veteran of the travel industry, has spent more than five years with the South Ayrshire facility, which is now in public hands.

He was a member of the senior management team that was involved in negotiations leading to the Scottish Government’s purchase of Prestwick for just £1 in November 2013.

The airport was put up for sale by owner New Zealand firm Infratil, after incurring annual losses of £2 million.

McLeod will leave the company in September after the completion of key financial planning and reporting objectives, and Prestwick said that the process to recruit his successor has already started.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Prestwick Airport but I believe it is now the right time for me to move on and focus on new opportunities,” McLeod said.

Chief executive Iain Cochrane said: “My colleagues and I are grateful to Grant for his contribution to the airport since joining us in 2010.

“He has supported Prestwick in challenging times and we wish him well in the future.”

The Scottish Government, which bought the airport to prevent closure and job losses, has so far committed to providing more than £25m in loan funding, with auditors stating earlier this year that another £15m was likely to be needed before it is handed over to new private owners.