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Matthew Thomas: Strong background in commercial |
IRELAND. The Board of Shannon Group plc, which includes Shannon Airport, today named Matthew Thomas as the company’s new Chief Executive. He replaces Neil Pakey in the role.
With 20 years’ experience in the industry, Thomas joins from the Vantage Airport Group, where he is currently Chief Commercial Officer. He has worked with Vancouver-based Vantage since 2008 and has been involved in most of the group’s 30 airport projects in that time.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Thomas has been responsible for leading the group’s business development strategy, most recently in New York. There he helped win the contract for the US$4 billion redevelopment contract for the Central Terminal at La Guardia Airport, the largest public-private-partnership in the USA. He also led negotiations at other major US airports including JFK, Chicago and Denver as well as in the Bahamas.
Thomas also has responsibility for the development of Vantage’s existing portfolio of eight airports across four countries, and was a Board member of Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas and John C. Munro Airport in Hamilton, Toronto.
From 2010-2014, he was based in England initially as the Chief Commercial Officer of Peel Airports and subsequently as CEO (comprising Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Doncaster Robin Hood Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport) following its acquisition by Vantage.
Shannon Group Chairman Rose Hynes said: “I am delighted to announce Matthew’s appointment as the new CEO of Shannon Group plc. He brings to the role a deep knowledge of the aviation industry combined with significant commercial experience. He combines pragmatic, effective management with strategic purpose and has an excellent track record of success. We are very fortunate to have secured an executive of Matthew’s ability and proven international experience to drive our strategic agenda, not just for the benefit of Shannon Group, but for the benefit of the Irish economy as a whole.”
Matthew Thomas said: “I’m excited to be coming to Shannon and Ireland at this time, and to have this opportunity to share my diverse experience with the Shannon Group. Shannon has an iconic place in aviation history. It is the gateway to The Wild Atlantic Way, and I know that it is very important to both the regional and national economy. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues in Shannon, the Board of Directors and all of the stakeholders to ensure the Group grows and makes the impact the West of Ireland deserves.”
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, welcomed the appointment. “Matthew Thomas takes over the reins at a very important time for the group. Shannon Airport has seen a welcome turnaround over the past three years with passenger numbers up by over +22%. There are opportunities and challenges to grow the airport further in the years ahead and Mr Thomas brings the experience and expertise to guide it successfully in that direction. His commercial experience will also assist in realising the vision for the Group’s property portfolio and the development and expansion of an international aviation services centre in and around the airport,” he said.
Thomas, who is from Manchester, takes up the position of Chief Executive in June under a five-year term. He and his wife Nancy both have strong connections to Ireland, with Irish ancestry on both sides of their family. Thomas lived in Donegal as a child and said he was “relishing the opportunity” to return to live in Ireland with his family.
