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TheMoodieReport.com: Nelson steers BAA towards ‘rapid and demonstrable increase in efficiency and performance’ – 22/09/06
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Martin Moodie
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BAA Chief Executive Stephen Nelson says he is determined to achieve a "rapid and demonstrable increase in the efficiency and performance of the business".
UK. BAA this evening announced a series of top-level management changes as Chief Executive (and former Retail Director) Stephen Nelson pushed forward his agenda of increasing the company’s efficiency and performance.

José Leo, Group Finance Director of Amey plc, the business services group, is to join the UK airports group as Chief Financial Officer.

Nelson said: “José brings very valuable experience in leading Amey´s restructuring process in the UK, as well as a decade of success within Ferrovial Group in various managerial posts. In a new era, he will help us focus upon achieving higher performance.”

Leo succeeds Margaret Ewing, who has decided to step down from BAA. He was appointed Group Finance Director of Amey plc in May 2003. Before that he was Managing Director of Ferrovial Telecomunicaciones. Before joining Ferrovial, he was Chief Financial Officer and Manager of Business Development at Agroman, the Spanish construction company which was acquired by Ferrovial.

Leo said: “I am delighted to join BAA, which has responsibility for some of the UK’s most vital assets.”
BAA also announced today that Ian Hargreaves, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director, has decided to leave the company.

Nelson said: “Margaret and Ian have done a first class job for BAA. They have helped me manage the transition to new ownership, and both are now looking forward to new challenges. I wish them every success in the future.”

He added: “The new Executive Committee will be smaller and sharply focused, reflecting my determination to achieve a rapid and demonstrable increase in the efficiency and performance of the business.”

In line with this approach, a number of other appointments were also announced today.

Duncan Garrood, currently Divisional Director responsible for Gatwick and Stansted airports and for most of BAA’s international activities, takes on a new role as Commercial Director. His portfolio includes BAA’s retail and marketing activities, supply chain and relationships with airlines. He joined BAA in 2004 after a career in Unilever.

Donal Dowds, also a Divisional Director, becomes Director of Operations, taking responsibility for Gatwick and Stansted airports, along with investment in information technology, surface access, planning and aviation policy. He joined BAA in 1979, overseeing the rapid growth of BAA’s Scottish businesses.

Stephen Baxter, Managing Director of BAA Scotland, joins the Executive Committee, taking responsibility for all of BAA’s activities in Scotland, along with Southampton Airport and the BAA shared business service centre, which is based in Glasgow. He joined BAA from Black & Decker in 2002.

Duncan Bonfield, Director of Corporate Affairs, takes over Ian Hargreaves’s role in charge of the company’s communications. Kyran Hanks, Director of Economics and Regulation, will lead BAA’s regulatory work. Both will report directly to Stephen Nelson.