UK. Heathrow Airport has named Thomas Woldbye, who currently leads Copenhagen Airports, as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will replace John Holland-Kaye when he steps down later this year after nearly ten years in the role.
In a separate announcement today, Copenhagen Airports said that Woldbye will exit the business on 30 September and that it is launching the search for a successor.
Woldbye has been CEO at Copenhagen Airport since 2011. Heathrow said he brings “a wealth of experience and a proven track record as CEO of a major airport championing passenger service, sustainability and growth”.
He will oversee the airport’s future strategy following an £11 billion private investment programme by Heathrow’s shareholders.
A Heathrow statement added: “During his tenure at Copenhagen Airport, Thomas put customers and colleagues at the heart of the airport’s transformation, turning it into the powerhouse transport hub of northern Europe with an award-winning passenger service ranking. His ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships has been a key factor in his success.
“Thomas forged strong links with the Danish Government, who are part owners of Copenhagen Airport, and fostered partnerships with airlines to drive investment and development, including significant recent expansions in terminal capacity at the airport.”
Before his role at Copenhagen Airport, Woldbye spent 27 years at Møller-Mærsk, leading the global shipping and ferry divisions.
Heathrow Chairman Lord Paul Deighton said: “Leading Britain’s hub airport is one of the most important jobs in global aviation and the vacancy attracted the best calibre talent from across the world. Thomas’s achievements at Copenhagen not only mirror Heathrow’s long-term strategy, but his track record in successfully running a major airport and working closely with stakeholders to secure consensus and deliver positive results stood out in the selection process.
“The Board would like to pay tribute to John. He set a strong example in his unyielding dedication to his colleagues and will leave behind a legacy of having transformed Heathrow into a premier global hub, developed the plan for Heathrow expansion that secured overwhelming Parliamentary approval, navigated the business through the extremely challenging times during the Covid 19 pandemic, overcame the unprecedented challenges of the post-pandemic recovery in demand and led the industry towards a net zero future.”
John Holland-Kaye said: “An airport is more than just runways and terminal buildings – it’s the people who come to work every day to deliver excellent service to our passengers. It’s been the privilege of my lifetime to lead our fantastic team. I’ve worked with Thomas over recent years and am a great admirer of his leadership on diversity and sustainability and his championing of the needs of passengers. I’m confident that the Heathrow team will be the cornerstone of his success in delivering the best airport service in the world.”
Thomas Woldbye said: “I am naturally excited and proud, as well as humbled, to have been chosen to lead what is arguably the most famous airport in the world on its future journey.
“I have personally experienced how the excellent team at Heathrow has successfully improved both the infrastructure and the service to passengers over the past years to create a strong platform for further success. Heathrow is an important engine for the British economy and inextricably linked to the success of London and the wider UK. I look forward to being part of charting the path for this iconic company. My ambition will be to make the airport even better for passengers, for airlines, the community and every part of the UK.”
On his departure from Copenhagen Airports, Woldbye said: “There is never a good time to leave, but we are through the worst effects of Covid, and the airport is in a good position to fully recover with robust plans for the future. I am proud of what we have achieved and of the airport that I can hand over to my successors. It has been a ride with ups and downs but always with a focus on the customers, the future, the quality of what we do, our role in society and the many people making it all work.” ✈
