Heathrow Airport will this month name Philip Jansen as its next chairman as Britain’s biggest aviation hub presses ahead with plans for a £50bn expansion.
Sky News understands that Mr Jansen, the former chief executive of BT Group and now chairman of WPP, has held talks in recent weeks with some of Heathrow’s major airline customers about the role.
Sources close to the airport said that Heathrow’s board and shareholders expected to announce his appointment as Lord Deighton’s successor as soon as this week.
Mr Jansen, whose candidacy was revealed by Sky News last month, has been picked partly as a result of his experience running a regulated utility in the form of BT.
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He has also run companies including MyTravel, which was once one of Britain’s biggest tour operators, and Worldpay, the payments processor.
His appointment will come at a critical time for Heathrow.
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In August, the airport submitted a revised expansion plan consisting of a third runway costing £21bn, £12bn for a new terminal and stand capacity, and £15bn to modernise the current airport through the expansion of Terminal 2.
The existing Terminal 3 would ultimately be closed.
Heathrow handled a record 83.9 million passengers last year and is adamant that a third runway is essential to the growth of Britain’s economy given the volume of exports which pass through the site.
“It has never been more important or urgent to expand Heathrow,” the airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, said in August.
“We are effectively operating at capacity to the detriment of trade and connectivity.
“With a green light from government and the correct policy support underpinned by a fit for purpose regulatory model, we are ready to mobilise and start investing this year in our supply chain across the country.
“We are uniquely placed to do this for the country; it is time to clear the way for take-off.”
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The expansion remains opposed by airlines alarmed by the prospective increase in charges to use the airport, as well as environmental campaigners.
It also faces a rival proposal from Surinder Arora, the businessman, who on Monday published further details of his Heathrow West blueprint, which he argues would cost nearly a third less than that of Heathrow Airport Limited.
“This is a once in a generation moment to finally deliver the expanded Heathrow that many in the airline and airport community have called for,” Mr Arora said.
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“As set out by the secretary of state, expansion cannot mean turning ‘the M25 into Europe’s largest car park’ and Heathrow West clearly demonstrates that it doesn’t need to.
“We are especially delighted to also now confirm we can avoid disrupting the M4 as well as the M25 which further makes the case for our scheme when compared to the alternative.
“Now is the time for the government to consider the two schemes and we look forward to further engagement.”
Heathrow’s expansion has been backed by the government, with Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, saying that a third runway “could unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected as part of our Plan for Change”.
Mr Jansen will lead a board dominated by representatives of the airport’s principal shareholders.
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Mr Woldbye apologised in May for being asleep during the power outage in March which forced Heathrow’s temporary closure.
The airport said it would implement the recommendations of a review conducted by former transport secretary Ruth Kelly.
Heathrow’s appointment of a new chairman comes months after the most significant changes to its ownership structure in years.
Ardian, a French investment group, now owns 32.6% of the company following a series of transactions over the last 12 months.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has also become an investor.
A Heathrow spokesperson declined to comment on Monday.
