Muirhead to retire as MAG chief exec

THE chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Geoff Muirhead, is to retire at the end of the year.

Mr Muirhead, 60, who has been with MAG for 22 years, will confirm his leaving date once his successor has been appointed, probably toward the end of 2010. The group said the search for a replacement would begin shortly.

Mr Muirhead oversaw the construction of Terminal 2 and the second runway, which is the only full length civil aviation runway to be built in the UK over last 50 years, as well as overseeing the acquisition of Humberside, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports to form the largest British-owned airport operator in the UK.

Mike Davies, chairman, said:  “His decision to retire comes during a year when I expect aviation to recover from the unprecedented effects of the global recession and by the time Geoff hands over, MAG will be well-placed to take full advantage of the upturn.

“Whilst we lose his services as Group Chief Executive later this year, we anticipate that Geoff will continue his relationship with us by acting as an ambassador for the Group within the industry”.

Mr Muirhead said: “By the end of this year, the economic recovery is forecast to be well established making it the right time for me to stand down. I anticipate my legacy to the new Group Chief Executive to be taking responsibility for a healthy, prosperous business working with a world-class team”.