Newcastle Airport’s CEO, Dr Peter Cock, has announced the appointment of two senior executives. New face Matthew (Matt) Findlay has been appointed to the role of Executive Manager Commercial and Aviation Business Development, and Marcus Lancaster has been promoted to the role of Executive Manager Operational Delivery.
Matt comes to Newcastle Airport with almost two decades of aviation experience in New Zealand and the UK. He has held a number of executive positions, most recently with Christchurch Airport and Auckland Airport. Matt brings with him significant aviation and route development experience. He has proven experience in working with airlines to increase their capacity to the airports he’s worked for, as well as attracting new airlines and destinations to the airports he’s worked for. Matt’s priorities will be to drive passenger and route growth, work closely with our stakeholders, and optimise commercial opportunities through ground transport and the property portfolio.
“Newcastle Airport presents such an exciting opportunity,” Matt said. “The recent terminal expansion has set the airport in good stead, and I really believe that this airport is on the cusp of something great. I’ve worked at a number of airports and what’s at Newcastle Airport, it has great potential. I can’t wait to get in, start working, and see this potential brought to life.”
“I’m thrilled that we have been able to secure a great talent to our airport,” Peter said. “Matt is highly regarded in the industry and I’m excited for him to join our executive team.”
Marcus joined Newcastle Airport in 2005 and has held a number of roles within the organisation. Most recently he’s held the role of Security Manager. Marcus has significant airport operational experience and has overseen the delivery of security infrastructure projects, the development of operational policies and procedures, the management of the security response during an emergency, and planning to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Marcus’s main focus will be the development of a revised Master Plan for Newcastle Airport and to ensure the ongoing delivery of customer service standards through his team and the upgraded infrastructure.
“This is a really exciting time for me,” Marcus said. “I was part of the team that delivered the Terminal Expansion Project and, to now have the opportunity to play an active part in how this new terminal is managed and determine where Newcastle Airport goes next is beyond exciting.”
“For a small team, the depth of talent within the Newcastle Airport team is impressive. I’m delighted that this role has been appointed to an internal candidate. Marcus has more than a decade of company knowledge and proved himself the best candidate for this role,” Peter concluded.
Marcus commenced in the role on 21 December 2015; Matt commenced in his role on 4 January 2016.
Image | Marcus Lancaster and Matthew Findlay