Nelson to succeed Clasper as BAA CEO

Gavin Lipsith

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The recently-joined retail director is to take BAA's top job as Mike Clasper bows out

BAA retail director Stephen Nelson is to succeed CEO Mike Clasper, the UK airports group said in a statement announcing Clasper's resignation earlier today. Nelson joined BAA in September 2005 from J Sainsbury, where he was marketing director.

BAA chairman Marcus Agius said: "We recruited Stephen last year because of his track record [and] saw him then as a potential successor to Mike Clasper. I am confident that Stephen will do an outstanding job...at a time when the company is well-placed to build on the opportunities created by its leadership position in the airport industry."

Meanwhile Tony Douglas has been appointed CEO of Heathrow. Douglas, who led the £4.2bn Heathrow terminal five construction programme, will also join the BAA board. He became managing director of Heathrow in March this year.

Other appointments include Ferrovial Aeropuertos managing director Luis Sánchez Salmerón, who is to take up the position of BAA deputy chief executive. He will also join the board.

Divisional director Mick Temple, services director Tony Ward and planning and regulatory affairs director Mike Toms will all step down from the BAA board, although they will remain on the company's executive committee.

Nelson said: "With the opening of T5 just over 18 months away, and our plans for Heathrow East and a second runway at Stansted progressing well, there couldn't be a more exciting time to take over the leadership of BAA. I look forward to working with our new owners and with all our stakeholders. Our mission at BAA continues to be the responsible and profitable growth of the business. My ambition will be to take the company to new heights of achievement."