Airport boss steps down after six years at the helm
THE chief executive of Cardiff Airport, Debra Bowen Rees, has confirmed she is stepping down.
It comes as the Welsh Government-owned airport last week tentatively reopened for commercial flights following the pandemic lockdown in March.
The airport has also confirmed that its chief commercial officer, Spencer Birns, will succeed her in an interim capacity when she steps down on August 1. She will, however, remain as an executive director until October, to support the airport’s post-Covid-19 recovery.
Ms Bowen Rees was appointed chief executive of the Rhoose-based airport in 2017, having previously been managing director.
During her time as chief executive, prior to the pandemic the airport had seen a steady rise in passenger numbers, and it secured its first scheduled route into the Middle East with Qatar Airways.
Chairman of Cardiff Airport Wayne Harvey said: “Firstly I would like to thank Deb on behalf of the whole airport team for her leadership over the past six years.
“I have been closely watching the progress the airport has made and whilst I have only been part of the team for the past few weeks, I can see the enormous, positive impact she has had.
“Spencer will be taking over the reins at a very challenging time as the aviation industry moves into the recovery phase post Covid-19.
“He has huge industry knowledge and experience as well as a strong understanding of the Cardiff Airport business.
“I, along with the rest of the board, will support him to navigate our way forward as we start the bounce back and look to future opportunities.”
Ms Bowen Rees said: “While it has been my long-planned intent to step down from my role at the airport at this time, it is with real mixed emotions that I move on to the next phase of my career.
“I feel hugely privileged to have led the airport team over the past six years and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved during that time.”