Heathrow appoints Philip Jansen as new Chairman
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Heathrow appoints Philip Jansen as new Chairman
Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd has today announced that Philip Jansen will succeed Lord Paul Deighton as Chairman of the Board when he steps down on 31 December 2025.
Jansen has a proven track record and brings with him more than 30 years of global leadership experience. He has had a distinguished executive career, he is the currently Chair of WPP plc and previously held the Chief Executive roles at BT Group, Worldpay Group and Sodexo. Jansen's extensive business insight and strong commercial awareness will help guide the airport through its next chapter, supporting Heathrow's vision of being an extraordinary airport, fit for the future.
Jansen's significant experience working with private investors as well as successfully leading a business within a highly regulated environment means that he is ideally placed to help prepare the airport for its next phase of modernisation and oversee the airport's future strategy.
Lord Paul Deighton steps down after nine years in post. He oversaw a multi-billion-pound investment programme during his tenure, which has transformed Heathrow into a premier global hub and worked alongside the leadership team to successfully navigate the business through COVID and its recovery.
Commenting on his appointment, Philip Jansen said:
"Heathrow is the UK's gateway to growth, therefore I am delighted to be taking on the role as Chairman at this pivotal time for both the business and the country. I'm keenly aware of the instrumental role Heathrow plays in the success of the UK economy and I'm motivated to play my part in its future, helping to navigate the UK's hub as it looks to modernise and expand."
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:
"I'm delighted to welcome Philip aboard. His expert guidance will be essential as we progress our development plans, ensuring we are an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. I also want to pay tribute to Lord Paul Deighton for his fantastic stewardship as Chairman. His service to Heathrow has been invaluable. He leaves behind an impressive legacy, having worked with us to transform the passenger experience at Heathrow and cement our status as the world's most connected airport."
Lord Paul Deighton said:
"It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman for the past nine years and to have worked alongside a team that has transformed Heathrow into a national asset to be proud of. Heathrow is more than just an airport, it's the UK's gateway for growth that delivers day in day out for its customers. I wish the team every success as they look to progress with their exciting expansion plans."
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Notes to editors:
Background on Philip Jansen
Philip Jansen is an experienced former FTSE 100 Chief Executive with broad industry experience, having worked extensively across the telecommunications, fintech, leisure, hospitality and consumer goods sectors. He was previously Chief Executive of FTSE 100 telecommunications business, BT, where he oversaw an ambitious transformation plan designed to make the company simpler and more effective. He joined BT from the financial technology business, Worldpay, where over the course of five years he led the remarkable growth of the company. Philip spent his early career in marketing with P&G, before taking on increasingly senior leadership roles in the consumer sector where he ultimately became Chief Executive and then Chairman of Brakes Group and prior to that was Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive, Europe, South Africa and India for Sodexo. In January 2025 he was appointed Chairman of WPP.
Heathrow
Heathrow is the UK's international gateway and the largest airport in Europe, connecting to 230 destinations across 85 countries. The airport welcomes over 200,000 passengers on roughly 1,300 flights each day, and serves as Britain's hub for trade, tourism and investment. Over 80,000 colleagues work at Heathrow - the airport directly employs about 10% of them, with the rest working for Team Heathrow partners including airlines, ground handlers and retailers.
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