Will Curtis, managing director of London Biggin Hill airport, is to step down on 31 March after overseeing six years of unprecedented growth in the business. He will be succeeded by David Winstanley as CEO, who will lead a management team that has made LBH one of the most successful business aviation airports in Europe and home to a growing community of aviation maintenance businesses.

Winstanley began his career in the Royal Air Force as an air traffic controller and rose to become a wing commander. He joined Birmingham airport in 2007 and took on roles of increasing seniority, becoming COO in 2014, a position he held until April 2018.

Chairman Andrew Walters says: “With the support of our local community, London Biggin Hill is enjoying increasing success. Our extended operating hours and significant investment in facilities helped us to outperform the market strongly in 2018, with a 12 per cent increase in aircraft movements and further direct and indirect job creation. We are delighted to have attracted someone of David Winstanley's calibre as CEO, whose deep understanding of airport operations and outstanding leadership skills will enable us to further enhance Biggin Hill's position as the premier business aviation centre for London.”

Curtis, who has decided to leave in order to pursue his other aviation interests, has agreed to continue advising the airport on the UK Civil Aviation Authority's reorganisation of new air routes in and out of London and the south east.

“Will Curtis joined the company at a critical time in the redevelopment of the airport,” adds Walters. “As a former customer he helped us to shape and deliver our priorities, particularly our increased opening hours. I am hugely grateful to Will for all of his contribution to our success, and I am delighted that he will continue to look out for our future by representing our interests in the reorganisation of airspace in London and the south east.”

Winstanley says: “I am a huge admirer of what London Biggin Hill has achieved and excited to be joining a business with such a clear vision for its future. I very much look forward to helping shape the ongoing evolution of a family-owned business that cares about its community, the success of its tenant businesses and its hardworking people.”

Curtis concludes: “With the airport now very well established in its specialist sector of aviation, I believe this is the appropriate time for me to hand over the reins. I am completely committed to London Biggin Hill, having been involved in its growth in different ways and at different times running two aircraft charter businesses here. I am delighted it is now a thriving economic centre with over 1,300 people employed among the 65 companies on the airport, and with more to come.”