September 1, 2009
Newcastle International Airport today announced the appointment of Will Dougherty as the company’s new Operations Director. Will joins CEO Dave Laws and fellow directors Simon Fisher and Kenneth Guldberg.
Will previously worked for BAA as Director of Operations for Aberdeen and Southampton Airports, with responsibility for terminal operations, security, fire service, major projects, engineering and airside operations. As part of this role he was also responsible for a £2 million per annum training centre, delivering fire training to the offshore industry. Under his directorship, Aberdeen Airport was voted the World’s Most Improved Airport in 2008 by the Airports Council International (ACI), and at Southampton Airport he secured a number of prestigious ACI awards including Top UK Airport and 5th Best Regional Airport in the World in 2009.
The majority of Will’s career has been spent in manufacturing, working throughout mainland Europe and the US for companies including Weir Pumps, Yarrow Shipbuilders, Mitsui Babcock, Hollinee and Balmoral Tanks.
At Newcastle International Airport, Will has responsibility for managing all aspects of the airport’s operations, including airside and landside operations, projects, maintenance, security, fire service and air traffic control.
Will was born in Glasgow and is 44 years old. He has relocated to the North East with his wife, Anne-Mette, and their two children, Mille, aged 4, and Benjamin, aged 3.
Of his appointment at Newcastle International Airport, Will said: “I am delighted to take up this exciting and challenging role. The airport is critically important to the North East region and one of my key objectives will be to make Newcastle International the best UK regional airport in terms of service delivery and staff performance. I am driven by a commitment to exceed our customers’ expectations, empower our staff teams and finding ways to make the operational side of our business work more efficiently.
“My family are excited about our move to the North East. My daughter Mille has been accepted to Darras Hall First School, which we are delighted about.”
In his spare time, Will enjoys watching football, horse riding, skiing, and spending time with his family.