Manchester Airports Group appoints Chief Executive

The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) – the largest British-owned airport operator – has appointed Charlie Cornish to the position of Group Chief Executive.

Charlie, 50, will join MAG on 1 October 2010. Currently, a main board director of United Utilities where he is Managing Director of United Solutions, he has also held a variety of senior positions both within United Utilities and other businesses including RWE Thames Water, West of Scotland Water, NHS Scotland and Associated British Foods. His early career included positions in British Aerospace, Plessey Telecomms and Trusthouse Forte.

Commenting on the appointment MAG’s Chairman, Mike Davies, said: “Charlie brings a broad range of skills and experience to the role. In addition to his in-depth Board and general management background, he has an impressive combination of operational, strategic and international experience.

“I look forward to working with Charlie on growing the Manchester Airports Group and wish him every success when he joins us in October”.

Charlie Cornish said: “I’m delighted to have been offered this opportunity to join such a successful team at MAG and look forward to meeting my new colleagues soon. MAG has made tremendous progress under Geoff Muirhead’s leadership and I look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders to continue building on its great reputation for customer service and innovation.”

Married with four children, Charlie succeeds MAG’s long standing Group Chief Executive, Geoff Muirhead CBE, who is retiring at the end of September after 22 years at the helm of the Group.