Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • AOA appoints Baroness McGregor-Smith as its new Chair

Aerospace

AOA appoints Baroness McGregor-Smith as its new Chair

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) announced today that Ruby McGregor-Smith has been appointed as the AOA’s new Chair, taking over from the outgoing Chair Ed Anderson.


Image Ricardo / Shutterstock

Baroness McGregor-Smith will take up her appointment from 1st September 2019.

Ruby is a portfolio Non-Executive Director and Advisory Director with current positions that include Thames Tideway Tunnel, Mace Group and the Department for Education.

Between 2007-16, Ruby was the Chief Executive of MITIE Group plc, a UK facilities management company, having first joined MITIE in 2002. Ruby is the Chair of the Office for Tackling Injustices and a member of the Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee in the House of Lords, having been granted a Life Peerage in 2015.

Advertisement
ODU RT

She was responsible for the 2017 independent report ‘Race in the Workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review’. She was also the Chair of the Women’s Business Council from 2012 to 2016.

Vice Chair of the AOA, Nick Barton said: “The AOA Board is delighted to announce that Ruby McGregor-Smith will be joining us as the Association’s new Chair. The AOA Team and our members look forward to working with her as we open the next chapter of the AOA’s development.

“Ruby has a wealth of experience in business and she joins the AOA Board at an important time for the sector. With the Government intending to set out an Aviation Strategy in the coming year and the UK’s exit from the EU, this is a crucial time for the AOA to lead the agenda for a successful and sustainable airport and aviation sector.

“As we look forward, we also want to thank Ed Anderson for his many years of outstanding service to the AOA as its Chairman. Under his leadership and oversight, we have seen the Association go from strength to strength, enabling it to be ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.”

Incoming Chair of the AOA, Baroness McGregor-Smith said: “I am looking forward to joining the AOA and leading its Board at such a significant time. The AOA is uniquely placed to influence the strategic direction of the sector and to capitalise on the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

“Aviation has never been more important than now: as the UK leaves the EU, aviation will be one of the crucial facilitators and enablers of the UK’s future prosperity. Ensuring that the framework is in place for UK airports to deliver on that potential, requires a strong and leading trade association.

“The AOA is a trade association with a strong heritage, and I am delighted to be working with the AOA Board, the wider team and its members to build on the AOA’s many achievements and enable it to champion the industry in the coming years.”

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Flights increase as summer hots up

Aerospace

Flights increase as summer hots up

18 July 2025

UK air traffic in June increased by 2.5% on the same month last year as NATS, the UK’s major provider of air traffic services, safely handled 237,215 flights, up more than 2,600 on May.

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

Aerospace

ZeroAvia granted patents for hydrogen-electric engine development

17 July 2025

ZeroAvia today announced it has been awarded nine new patents this year so far, with many critical to the company’s roadmap for scaling hydrogen-electric engines for large regional aircraft.

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

Aerospace

BBGA co-hosts Isle of Man Aviation Conference

17 July 2025

For the first time, the British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) joined Martyn Fiddler as joint hosts of the 13th Isle of Man Aviation Conference, bringing together 120 business aviation delegates at Douglas’ Villa Marina venue.

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

Aerospace

Flying to become more accessible for disabled people

16 July 2025

An industry and consumer expert group, tasked by the UK Government to advise on how to make flying more accessible for disabled people, has unveiled its suite of recommendations today.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT
Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

Aerospace

Doncasters expands Groton site with new shell line

15 July 2025

Doncasters today announced the successful commissioning of a brand-new, fully automated shell line, at its Groton facility in the US - a major milestone within its 2025 Performance Improvement Plan and a key advancement in the company’s long-term manufacturing strategy.

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

Aerospace

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft to explore hydrogen eVTOL propulsion

15 July 2025

ZeroAvia and Horizon Aircraft today announced plans to work together on developing regional hydrogen-electric VTOL air travel.

Advertisement
ODU RT