By Tony O’Reilly-
The former chief executive of BT Group, Philip Jansen, is currently being lined up as the next chairman of Heathrow Airport, Sky News has learned. This appointment comes at a critical time as Britain’s biggest and busiest aviation hub prepares to deliver an enormous expansion project costing close to £50 billion.
Heathrow Terminal 4. Pic: Reuters
Sources suggest that Mr Jansen, who also currently chairs the FTSE-100 marketing services group WPP, is in advanced discussions with Heathrow’s board and principal shareholders about taking on this influential role. Insiders anticipate that an official announcement could be made within the coming weeks if these sensitive discussions are successfully concluded.
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Headhunters at Russell Reynolds Associates compiled a shortlist of candidates before Mr. Jansen emerged as the clear frontrunner. His extensive experience as the head of BT, a heavily regulated utility company, proved key to his selection as the preferred candidate. He previously ran other complex businesses, including the travel group MyTravel and the global payments processor Worldpay. His background in managing vast infrastructure, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and satisfying diverse shareholder demands positions him perfectly for the airport’s most significant undertaking in decades.
The appointment of a successor to Lord Deighton, who has held the post for nine years, signals a clear focus on stable governance as the airport moves from planning to execution. Lord Deighton recently agreed to temporarily extend his appointment to ensure a smooth transition while new non-executive shareholder directors familiarise themselves with the business.
Mr. Jansen’s immediate priority will be overseeing the financing and initial delivery of the multi-decade, multibillion-pound Heathrow expansion plan. The airport submitted a revised strategy in August, outlining the gargantuan scale of the work ahead. The blueprint consists of three core components: a third runway costing £21 billion, a further £12 billion allocated for new terminal and stand capacity, and £15 billion dedicated to modernizing the existing airport infrastructure through the expansion of Terminal 2. Under this ambitious proposal, the existing Terminal 3 facility would ultimately be closed down and demolished.
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Handling a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024, Heathrow is adamant that adding a third runway is absolutely essential to support the continued growth of the UK’s economy. Given the massive volume of high-value exports that pass through the site daily, expansion is viewed by airport executives as an urgent national necessity. Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow’s chief executive, underlined this urgency in August, declaring, “It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow.” He explained that the facility is effectively operating at maximum capacity, which detrimentally impacts both trade and global connectivity.
Mr. Woldbye confirmed that with approval from the government and appropriate policy support, the airport is “ready to mobilise and start investing this year” in its supply chain across the country. They believe they are uniquely placed to deliver this crucial infrastructure for the country. Ensuring the Heathrow expansion plan adheres to regulatory oversight and budget is the monumental task ahead. This complex Heathrow expansion plan will redefine British aviation infrastructure.
The immense Heathrow expansion plan faces significant opposition, predominantly from airlines alarmed by the prospective increase in passenger charges required to finance the £48 billion cost. Airlines argue that these massive fees could ultimately damage demand. Despite this industry opposition, the expansion enjoys strong backing from the government.
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has publicly supported the project, stating that a third runway “would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change.” Mr. Jansen will need all his regulatory experience to balance the demands of government, the concerns of airlines, and the interests of the airport’s investors.
His leadership arrives just months after the most significant changes to Heathrow’s ownership structure in several years. Ardian, a prominent French investment group, recently became the single largest shareholder, acquiring a 32.6% stake in the company following a series of complex transactions over the last twelve months.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has also become a significant investor, meaning the airport’s strategic direction is now overseen by a diverse, globally represented board. Mr. Woldbye, the current chief executive, was recently compelled to apologize after a severe power outage in March temporarily shut down the airport, prompting a review conducted by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly.
The new chairman will be charged with ensuring those security and resilience recommendations are implemented swiftly. The successful delivery of the Heathrow expansion plan is paramount for all these stakeholders.
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