Bristol Airport announces new Chief Executive Officer

Charley, who is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of South Staffordshire Group, a leading regulated water and infrastructure services group, will replace Dave Lees, who has been at the helm of the Airport since 2018 and will be stepping down at the end of the year.

Charley has spent her career across the travel, financial services and utilities sectors, having held senior leadership roles with NatWest and Wessex Water/YTL Group before joining South Staffordshire as Group Chief Executive Officer in 2023.

During her time at South Staffordshire, she has led a significant transformation of the Group, improving performance, while strengthening culture and reputation. 

Her experience spans customer and people focused, highly regulated sectors, where she has led large operational businesses, overseen significant investment programmes and worked closely with regulators, industry partners, customers, and wider community stakeholders. 

Jason Holt, Chairman of Bristol Airport, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Charley to Bristol Airport, which followed an extensive and highly competitive selection process. Charley brings extensive experience of delivering long-term infrastructure investment, successful customer delivery, and the balancing of commercial performance with environmental and social responsibilities.

“I and the Board would like to thank Dave for his excellent leadership transforming the Airport to the success it is today and wish him all the best in his retirement. As the baton passes from Dave to Charley the Airport is now destined to build on Dave’s work. This legacy includes the Airport now employing more than 5,800 local people and supporting thousands of more jobs through the wider supply chain. Through the Airport’s growth plans, there’s opportunity to create an additional 1,000 new jobs, with increasing long-haul connectivity to global markets.”

During Dave’s time as Chief Executive the Airport witnessed an unprecedented growth in passenger numbers and the successful delivery of numerous major transformational projects, including the Public Transport Interchange as well as the positive outcome of the planning application for 12 million passengers per annum.

Similarly, as a signal to what lies ahead for Charley and the team, the next stage of growth outlined in the Bristol Airport 2040 Masterplan includes the current planning application to increase passenger numbers to 15 million a year with increased global connectivity direct to the South West region.

Dave said: “It has been the highlight of my career to lead an amazing, talented, and committed team which continues to deliver responsible growth connecting our region to an increasing number of destinations. Together we have delivered significant improvements for our customers, airlines and the community which we are proud to serve, including our industry leading position on our pathway to deliver net zero Airport operations by 2030.”

Incoming Bristol Airport CEO Charley Maher will join the Airport over the coming months.

She said: “I am genuinely excited to be joining Bristol Airport at such an important and ambitious stage in its journey. Having grown up, lived and worked in North Somerset and Bristol for many years, it is a real privilege to be appointed to such a key role that sits at the heart of the region I call home. 

“The Airport plays an important part in connecting people, supporting businesses and helping our communities thrive, and I'm looking forward to working with the team, partners and stakeholders to build on the fantastic work already achieved, and to help shape an ambitious and sustainable future."