Managing director leaves East Midlands Airport

Andy Cliffe, the managing director of East Midlands Airport has left to join Midland Expressway, the operator of the M6toll.

Cliffe joins the road operator next month from the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which runs East Midlands Airport.

He has held a number of roles within MAG including group marketing director, group strategy director, and managing director of assets, with time spent in his 19 years at MAG across finance, operations, commercial, real estate development, strategy and corporate development functions.

Karen Smart

Current acting chief executive of Midland Expressway, Graham Parcell, said: “Andy is a great addition to the team. He has been at the forefront of developing East Midlands Airport’s business, which in turn has helped the local business community there. He joins the M6toll at an exciting time with the numbers of customers growing strongly and I am sure he can take that momentum on.”

Karen Smart, who is currently director of landside operations at London Stansted Airport, will take over from Cliffe.

Smart said: “It’s a hugely exciting time in the aviation industry and I feel privileged to be taking on the role of MD at East Midlands Airport.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the drive to attract new airlines to serve the vibrant region while further improving the customer experience.”