The latest personnel changes from across the global airport industry
New global head of airport operations for dnata
Global air and travel services provider dnata has named David Barker as divisional senior vice president (DSVP) for airport operations.
Barker, who took up the post on August 1, will oversee dnata’s global ground handling and cargo business at 91 airports in 14 countries, managing a team of over 23,000. He joined dnata six years ago, and most recently led the company’s airport operations in the United States as chief executive officer. Based in Dubai, Barker will report to Steve Allen, who is dnata’s executive vice president.
Steve Allen said: “I’m delighted to welcome David to dnata’s global management team. ”Over the past years, David has made outstanding achievements as our regional leader, playing a key role in the expansion of dnata’s operations and customer base in the US. His passion for service excellence will ensure the highest level of quality and safety across our global airport operations.”
David joined dnata in 2015 with over two decades of experience in the aviation industry.
As dnata USA’s CEO, he more than doubled the size of the company’s business in the country, won many new customers, and successfully integrated a highly motivated team into the global dnata community. Previously, he held C-suite roles at JetSource and various general manager and regional operational roles with ASIG. He also led the global mergers and acquisitions for BBA Aviation Flight Support.
Leadership team boost for Menzies
Menzies Aviation, the global aviation logistics specialist, has appointed three senior members to its Middle East, Africa and Asia (MEAA) team.
John Henderson joins as senior vicepresident operations MEAA, Gemma Sinclair as vice-president HR MEAA, and Kevin Constant as vice president operations Pakistan. According to the company, these appointments represent a commitment to building its presence in the MEAA region as part of its emerging market growth strategy.
Henderson has worked in aviation ground handling for almost 30 years, 11 of which have been with Menzies. Most recently he served as the company’s senior vice president UK and Ireland.
In his new position he will focus on growing the business across the MEAA region and integrating Menzies’ new start-up operations in Iraq and Pakistan. Moving into his new role in September, Henderson will be based in Dubai.
Sinclair brings 15 years of experience and invaluable insights from her global role at an oil trading company, as well as industry know-how from previous positions at Emirates Group and dnata. She will also be based in the Dubai office. Constant has over ten years’ industry experience, including in several senior management positions across airport relations and ground handling at Brussels Airlines, in Cameroon and Belgium. Most recently he worked as an independent consultant on projects in the aviation sector in Pakistan, through which he has gained extensive market knowledge. He will be based in Pakistan. Charles Wyley, Menzies Aviation executive vice president, Middle East, Africa and Asia, said: “I look forward to welcoming John, Gemma and Kevin to the MEAA team.
“They join at an exciting juncture, as we focus on further building the Menzies brand and expanding our footprint in emerging markets. Their expertise will be essential in developing operations, particularly in Iraq and Pakistan where we recently launched, and helping secure new business opportunities.”
New CFO for Leeds Bradford
Alex Tong has been appointed chief financial officer of Leeds Bradford Airport, joining the Board of Directors and working alongside the senior leadership team.
Tong joins from telecommunications provider KCOM, where he held a number of senior finance roles, most recently as CFO. During his time at KCOM, he helped the business de-list and move into private equity ownership and navigate large capex and financing processes, including oversight of capex programmes totalling in excess of £150m.
A Chartered Accountant, Tong spent a decade with PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining KCOM.
“As a native Yorkshireman, I’m proud to be serving my regional airport. The complexity of an aviation business, coupled with the challenges of navigating the impact of the pandemic, make this an exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to collaborating with the team to bring Leeds Bradford Airport back to its pre-COVID levels and contribute to sustainable future growth,” he said.
‘Ecstatic’ move to Servy
Servy, the enterprise self-service platform for hospitality, has appointed Lauryn Mangum Reed vice-president, business development.
Mangum Reed will be responsible for expanding business development and strategic partnership activity for the Grab Airport Marketplace with airport authorities, developers and restaurant and retail partners throughout the Americas. She joins from airport retail operator Stellar Partners where she was most recently director of innovation and business development.
Three years ago, Mangum Reed was appointed Chair for the Airport Minority Advisory Council’s (AMAC) Emerging Leaders Committee. She was recently elected AMAC Board Secretary and is a member of the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) Business Diversity Committee Steering Group.
“I’m ecstatic to join the Servy Squad and help lead partnerships within the industry,” said Mangum Reed.
“The paradigm shift of digital innovation and adoption has created a unique time for Servy to realise its potential. I look forward to supporting my industry partners on this journey to improve the guest experience through self-service technology.”
