Ken O’Toole lands MD role at airport

KEN O’Toole has been named as managing director of Manchester Airport in a boardroom reshuffle.

O’Toole, who joined Manchester Airports Group from Irish budget airline Ryanair, in January 2012, was previously chief commercial officer for the group.

He indirectly replaces Andrew Cowan, who has overseen operations at Manchester for the last two years in his role as MAG’s chief operating officer.

Cowan is moving to the new role of chief strategy officer at MAG where he has responsibility for “leading key initiatives to support the long term growth and development of the group”.

Group chief executive Charlie Cornish, said: “MAG has made remarkable progress over the past four years, and is now a fast growing airport services group with enormously strong prospects. Both Ken and Andrew have played key roles in that transformation process.

“Thanks to Andrew’s leadership, Manchester Airport is enjoying a period of sustained growth and Ken will ensure that we maintain a sharp focus on providing passengers and airlines with the level of service that is rightly expected of us, while at the same time expanding the range of routes available from the airport.

“These appointments will enable the airport to continue to flourish and help drive economic growth across the North, and support the development of the group as a leading airport services company.”

Ken O’Toole, added:”I’m delighted to be taking on the role managing director at Manchester Airport at such an exciting time. Over the last few years we’ve seen phenomenal growth, and I look forward to taking the airport back above its record peak.

“As the region’s global gateway, we can support the needs of the 22 million people that live within two hours of the airport and I’m looking forward to delivering further improvements to the services we offer, both in terms of the quality of our facilities and the range of destinations available from the region.”

Cowan, siad of his new role: “As MAG continues to grow, it will become increasingly important that we capitalise on our position as a major airports group. We’ve already made big strides in this regard but there is still enormous potential for us to develop and grow the group, generating further value across all our activities.”