Out-going London Gatwick CEO says working at airport will 'be the highlight' of his career

Stewart Wingate takes on his new role as Managing Director, UK Airports - a newly created role by VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) - on September 1.

This will mark the end of a successful 15-year tenure.

“I've really enjoyed my time at Gatwick and I think at the end of the day when I look back on my career, this will be the highlight because it's been such a long period of time,” said Mr Wingate.

“But anything that I've achieved at the airport has really been achieved because of the great team of people who work at Gatwick. It's the people who work at the airport that make this place as good as it

is and for me I'll be forever grateful for the people at the airport for enabling me to report on their successes.”

Gatwick has seen many changes and improvements in Mr Wingate’s time and he said: “We've had lots of successes growing the airport, bringing in the long haul routes, transforming the service at the airport, the check-in areas, the security areas, the automated immigration areas, the efficiency of the airfield.

“You know, this airport, there are certain things that we do which I think we perhaps take for granted in the region but around the world we're recognized as being a world leader and that's all down to the people who work here and the talented people that we have so for me that's what i reflect on.”

In his new role, he will oversee the future development and strategic direction of London Gatwick, Edinburgh Airport and Belfast International, with the Chief Executives of these three airports reporting into him. He will continue to jointly report into both VINCI and GIP in relation to London Gatwick and Edinburgh Airport.

“Of course as I do move into a new role,” Mr Wingate said, “I'm not fully moving away from the airport, the CEO of Gatwick will report to myself along with the CEO of Edinburgh and Belfast International airport but “I'll be more focused on the strategic developments of the airports and the investment in the airports.

“But for me and I reflect back the people who work at the airport are just very dedicated and very talented and they've achieved any success I've had.”

Pierre-Hugues Schmit, currently Chief Commercial and Operational Officer at VINCI Airports and a non-executive director on the London Gatwick Board, will succeed Stewart as Chief Executive of London Gatwick.