New chairman appointed at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport has named its new chairman as the former CEO of Birmingham-based pubco Mitchells & Butlers.
Tim Clarke succeeds outgoing chairman John Hudson when the latter steps down on July 12 after 20 years in post.
Mr Clarke’s first job will be the small task of finding a new CEO for the airport following Paul Kehoe’s decision to leave the role. Mr Kehoe also leaves his position on July 12 after nine years in the hot seat.
A long-standing resident of the Birmingham area, Mr Clarke has extensive experience of the leisure and retail sectors.
He was appointed a board director of Associated British Foods in November 2004 and has been Senior Independent Director since December 2007.
Until 2009, he was CEO of M&B following its demerger from Six Continents, where he also held the position of CEO from 2000 to 2003.
Previously he had been a partner of Panmure Gordon & Co, before joining brewing group Bass in 1990.
He is also a non-executive director of two pub restaurants and brewing companies: Hall & Woodhouse and Timothy Taylor & Company; as well as venture capital investment fund Triple Point VCT 2011.
Between 1998 and 2003, he was Senior Independent Director at department store group Debenhams.
He is currently Chair of Governors of King Edward’s School and King Edward VI High School for Girls and Vice-Chair of the King Edward’s Foundation.
He was also a Trustee Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet from 2006 to 2014 and a Trustee Director of the Elgar Foundation from 2009 to 2017.
The airport said his extensive experience of multinational businesses would prove invaluable in leading the board through a period of continued growth and expansion.
Commenting on his new role, Mr Clarke said: “Birmingham Airport is growing strongly so I am very much looking forward to joining the business and helping to develop further its ambitions for the future. I believe Birmingham Airport has great potential for further growth and expansion, reflecting the strengths of the West Midlands economy and the benefits of HS2.
“My first objective will be to lead the recruitment of a new CEO to fulfil that opportunity.”
Following his retirement, John Hudson will focus on his duties as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, which was bestowed upon him in April 2017, as well as his continued position as West Midlands’ Deputy Lieutenant.
During his two decades as chairman, the airport has undergone radical change and ongoing investment has helped to transform the facility into a business comping with 12 million passengers a year.
At his last board yesterday, directors thanked him for his service.
He said: “It’s been a privilege to help guide the airport through huge highs but I’m pleased to retire from my position at a time of enormous success. When taking the responsibility of chairman in 1997, the airport handled just half the number of people a year seen today and I’m sure that Tim and the airport board will continue to drive this vital asset, that I’m so very proud of, to great new heights.”
