Stewart Wingate returns to lead Gatwick board as Northern Runway delivery begins

London Gatwick has appointed former chief executive Stewart Wingate as chair of its board as the airport prepares to deliver its Northern Runway programme.

Wingate will take up the position on 1 October 2026, succeeding Baroness Margaret Ford, who is retiring after nearly three years as chair.

The appointment gives Gatwick’s board a chair with extensive knowledge of the airport and its expansion plans. Wingate served as Gatwick’s chief executive for 15 years before becoming managing director of UK airports for VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners in September 2025.

He is currently a member of the boards of London Gatwick, Edinburgh Airport and Belfast International Airport.

Gatwick shifts towards runway delivery

Wingate takes the role as Gatwick moves from securing consent for its Northern Runway programme towards detailed design and delivery.

The scheme will bring the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use for departing aircraft, alongside its main runway. Gatwick expects the programme to increase capacity, support employment and generate wider economic benefits for the region.

Wingate said the airport was entering an important period but acknowledged that geopolitical and economic pressures were affecting passenger numbers and increasing costs across the aviation sector.

Baroness Ford has chaired Gatwick since November 2023, overseeing the final approval stages of the Northern Runway programme and the airport’s engagement with national and local stakeholders.

Nicolas Notebaert, chief executive of VINCI Concessions and president of VINCI Airports, and Michael McGhee, deputy chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, said Wingate’s knowledge of Gatwick and the wider operating environment would support the airport’s long-term growth plans.

VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners are Gatwick’s principal shareholders.