Philip Jansen to Succeed Lord Deighton as Heathrow Chairman Amid Expansion Plans
Philip Jansen is set to be named the new chairman of Heathrow Airport, succeeding Lord Deighton, with the announcement expected soon. Jansen, the former CEO of BT Group and current chair of WPP, has already engaged in discussions about the role with major airline customers. His appointment is based on his extensive experience leading regulated utilities and previous leadership roles at MyTravel and Worldpay.
Heathrow's expansion plan, revised in August, includes a £21 billion investment for a third runway, £12 billion for a new terminal and stand capacity, and £15 billion to modernize the airport through Terminal 2. The plan also involves closing Terminal 3. Heathrow handled a record 83.9 million passengers last year, with airport CEO Thomas Woldbye emphasizing that expansion is essential to Britain’s economy.
The expansion proposal faces opposition from airlines concerned about higher charges and environmental campaigners. A rival plan, Heathrow West, proposed by Surinder Arora, claims to offer approximately one-third lower cost and less disruption to the M4 motorway.
The UK government supports the expansion, with treasury minister Rachel Reeves noting that the third runway could unlock growth and boost exports. She emphasized the need for policy support and a regulatory model that ensures good value for passengers and investors.
In terms of ownership, Ardian now holds 32.6% of Heathrow Airport alongside the Saudi Public Investment Fund as investors. The board is expected to be dominated by the airport’s principal shareholders. A spokesperson declined to comment further on the appointment or ownership changes.
