Staff turnaround at Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport has appointed a new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) from one of the other VINCI owned airports, London Gatwick.
At the same time as Stephanie Wear flies up from London, the current CCO, Gail Taylor will be boarding a plane to Sydney to become Commercial Project Director at Sydney Airport.
Stephanie will be taking up a 'harmonised' role as the airport announces that it will be bringing together the Aviation and XAero sides in a return to the Covid structure.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport talked about both moves and said: 'We are delighted to be welcoming Stephanie to Scotland's busiest airport, where she will play a key role in our future growth as we deliver more connectivity to and from Scotland.
'Stephanie has a wealth of experience in senior positions both at home and abroad, and her commercial insight will continue to drive us on as we go forward. Her aviation background will be critical as we look to expand Edinburgh Airport's presence in new and existing markets, and she has some exciting ideas about our XAero function and how it can be further developed.
'Gail's decision is bittersweet for us at Edinburgh Airport, as she has been such an integral part of our success and a driving force behind our retail and commercial outlook, but I am excited at the prospect of this new challenge which awaits her and her family.
'Again, Gail is joining an airport she will already feel she knows and understands given her experience of working with GIP while at Edinburgh. Her track record of success is something she will take with her, and we wish her all the very best in her new role.
'Our recovery from the pandemic was so important that we decided to sperate the CCO role to allow our teams to fully focus on their areas and build a strong case for the airport's aviation and retail opportunities. That has delivered for us following another record year and being one of the UK's first airports to return to growth.
'Now is the perfect opportunity to harmonise that role and return to the pre-Covid structure that we had. This allows Stephanie the opportunity to provide a strategic overview of that side of the business, knowing she has strong teams and heads of department across all the commercial and digital disciplines with a track record of success.'
Stephanie Wear said: 'I am very honoured to be joining Edinburgh Airport as Chief Commercial Officer, and I am looking forward to working with the talented teams at EDI to help drive the next chapter of ambitious, innovative growth.
'I will work to help build on the outstanding successes achieved to help grow passenger numbers, attract new airlines, deliver an exceptional passenger experience, strengthen our commercial strategy, and continue building an airport that is not only a vital transport hub, but a world-class destination in its own right.
'Aviation has always been about connection, and I'm excited to help shape the future of Scotland's busiest airport that connects people, places, and possibilities every single day.'
Gail Taylor said: 'I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support over the last 13 years. It's been a privilege leading the XAero team and I am very proud of what we've delivered together, developing one of the most effective and efficient commercial estates in the UK and supporting the airports growth aspirations.
'There are too many projects to mentioned individually, however I am especially proud of the recovery from Covid, the focus of the team on partner relationships and delivering growth objectives year after year, and our recent overhaul of the retail offering, which is one of the biggest changes in the airport's history. There is so much more to come and exciting times ahead and I leave the department in very capable hands to deliver the next stage in the airport's development. The opportunity in Sydney is very exciting and I feel it's the right time to move and take on that fresh challenge.
'Edinburgh Airport is truly a great place to work and it's the people and teams who make it what it is – they've certainly made my job a lot easier, and I know they'll do the same for Stephanie. I'll really miss working here, but I know that EDI will continue to go from strength to strength and I will follow its progress from a few time zones away!'
Like this:
Like
Related
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
A rise in defence spending will kick-start the industrial future
The decision at the Nato summit this week to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 is a seismic shift for all of us and will have massive implications for the budgets of every government department over the next decade. When we consider in the high levels of debt and tax, this raises fundamental questions for government in allocating resources at a time when the growth of tax receipts is constrained by the paucity of economic growth. Right across western Europe the challenge caused by the financial crisis of 2008 led to a step change in the long-term trajectory of financial growth. Put simply we have come up short. The challenge for us is how we strengthen the economy in the midst of the challenges we face? A failure to move the needle on this will result in living standards continuing to be squeezed and the impossibility of funding the growth of defence spending, resulting in painful cuts elsewhere. • Ageing and sick population will lead to £16bn annual tax rise Events have conspired to leverage massive costs on to the public purse: Covid, the cost of living crisis, largely as a knock-on effect of the Ukrainian conflict, have led to levels of fiscal debt typically only seen at times of war. Time of war is an apt phrase as politicians and wider society have a growing realisation that times have changed. Global instability and the threat of war is very real. Though in these islands we have excellence in many aspects of our armed forces, to a large extent our military capability has been hollowed out. The need to enhance defence capability and at pace is stark. There is now a race to invest and if we take last year's defence spending of £53.9 billion as our base, we are going to have to find by 2035 an extra £60 billion plus a year to invest in defence. Where is this to come from? Starmer's government are for now, silent on the source of the majority of this funding. Difficult choices are going to have to be made. • SNP ban on 'munitions' funds puts Scottish shipbuilding on the line Short of a sustained increase in economic growth there is going to be a squeeze elsewhere on spending. Austerity will be a price to be paid as a consequence of having to invest in our national security. Investment in defence, though, can be a lever and transformative in itself in generating economic growth. With the increase in defence spending requiring £60 billion-plus, it is beyond doubt that we need to make sure that Scotland gets its fair share, and I know the Scottish government will be standing up for Scotland's interest in making it happen. There is a long history of the SNP doing just that. From Nicola Sturgeon making the case for shipbuilding jobs at Govan and numerous MPs making the case for defence spending in Scotland, most notably Angus Robertson and Stewart MacDonald, who championed the industry and in particular defended Scotland's historic regiments — a campaign led by Annabelle Ewing. It is therefore of no surprise — and consistent with the long-term position of the SNP — to read John Swinney being quoted in The Times this week that he had no objections if a company came to Scotland to set up a munitions factory, while making the point that the Russian threat is very real. We speak of our support for Ukraine. We speak of their right to defend their sovereignty. There is a need to replenish munitions in support of the defence of Ukraine. In doing this, though, there are red lines and that means munitions supplied in the needs of strategic defence interests and never in situations such as Gaza where civilians are targeted. Indeed, the SNP website makes the point that 'defence manufacturing infrastructure in Scotland is fundamental to our national engineering and manufacturing sector'. Today in Scotland we have excellence in aerospace, defence, security and space. The challenge is leveraging in investment and accelerating economic growth that is critical to our financial security as a consequence of the need to invest in our national security. ADS, the umbrella body for the industry, points out that the sector today employs 33,500 workers and delivers a value added of £3.2 billion, with an output per worker of £95,000. These figures make it self-evident that there is an economic prize in attracting defence investment into Scotland. We all want high growth, high wage, high productivity Scotland. A society that drives investment in skills and innovation. Think for a minute of our industrial past and leading-edge electrical engineering businesses such as Ferranti, (now Leonardo). Scotland is at the forefront of innovation in both defence and in civil applications. We need to re-engineer to capture that pioneering spirit, not just for defence capabilities but to use that opportunity as a lever through defence diversification to create a broader and deeper industrial and advanced manufacturing base. John Swinney is right to demonstrate that Scotland is open for investment. An increase in defence spending is coming. We should seize the opportunities out of this to kick-start investment in advanced manufacturing through, among other things, utilising our world-class academic base to develop the technologies and businesses for the future. Investment in defence, will kick-start the delivery of an industrial future for Scotland. Ian Blackford was the SNP leader in the House of Commons from 2017 to 2022, and an MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber from 2015 to 2024.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
The 7 European tourist hotspots taking action against 'drunken' British tourists
Several European hotpots for tourists are now starting to crack down on drunken Brits - implementing strict rules for UK tourists heading on holiday. Many of Europe's favourite stag do destinations saw a welcome pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the return of harsh-partying British tourists has upset some. In response, several cities are stepping up efforts to clamp down on disruptive behaviour, caused by Brits. Tour guide Daniel Seres in Hungary's Budapest, one of the most popular budget destinations, stated: "The bachelor parties dropped off sharply during Covid and now they are picking up again." Speaking to The Telegraph, he continued: "We need the income from tourists, but these big party groups only go on the free guided city tours [rather than paid], and they keep locals awake as they sing, stumble around and are sick on the streets." Daniel said that the disruption affects the elderly residents, who are still living in the busy tourist locations, the Express reports. In 2017, the city took measures to crack down on the drunken behaviour by banning the pedal-powered "beer bikes" due to safety and disturbance concerns. In 2020, authorities moved to restrict activity in the city's red light district and by 2023, District VII increased fines for late-night shouting and public urination, leaflets were handed out at the airport - written in English - warning tourists of the penalties. That same year, venues were also granted the right to decline bookings from large groups. But Budapest is far from alone in the crackdown, with many more European destinations following suit. Here are six more European hotspots that are taking a stand against these badly behaved tourists. Amsterdam In 2023, Amsterdam took decisive action to curb badly behaved tourists by banning boozy guided tours and cannabis smoking in the streets of its infamous Red Light District. In the same year, the Dutch capital launched its "Stay Away" digital campaign, specifically targeting young British men with warnings about fines and arrests. Restrictions were also introduced on short-term rentals and alcohol sales during specific hours. Barcelona The Spanish city has cut down on undesirable tourists by implementing strict rules regarding noise, as well as giving out behaviour fines, cracking down on unlicensed party promoters and short-term rental properties. Barcelona have also put strict restrictions on drinking in public. Prague The iconic Czech capital has taken a firm stance against party tourism by banning "beer bikes," boosting police presence in popular areas and discouraging promotions tied to sex tourism and stag related actives. Krakow The polish hotspot of Krakow has imposed strict regulations on advertising for strip clubs and "gentlemen's entertainment", as well as discussing tighter controls on alcohol sales. Some venues have also restricted smoking inside, designing smoking areas to reduce disruption. Lisbon Portugal's capital has cracked down on short-term rentals, especially in nightlife-heavy areas like Bairro Alto and Alfama, and has increased police patrols during the weekend, to maintain public order. Dublin Hotels and venues in Dublin are increasingly declining bookings from stag and hen parties. The city has also launched targeted campaigns promoting 'cultural' tourism over alcohol centred trips. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Telegraph
Our welfare system needs reform, not arbitrary cuts
As the smoke settles from yet another astonishing tyre-screeching U-turn by Kier Starmer on his welfare proposals, the stark reality is that instead of significant savings, we will all now face an extra tax bill of £3bn in the autumn. This U-turn isn't surprising to me because their proposal was a classic panicky short-term Treasury driven cut but in no way genuine reform. I even doubt that the savings would in the longer term have materialised. This is because I believe they were going at it the wrong way. The Covid lockdowns blasted a hole in our welfare system. Since 2020, the number of households where no one has ever worked has doubled. Economic inactivity due to long-term sickness has risen by 800,000. And taxpayers today are shelling out an extra £30 billion every year on sickness and disability benefits, on top of an already bulging bill. Lockdown reversed much of the progress we had made under the transformations of Universal Credit, in part relaxing eligibility rules and assessments for benefits, a leniency that astonishingly continues to this day. But also expanding the 'claim culture', albeit inadvertently, through schemes like furlough. It is easy to forget that by 2019 we had the lowest rate of workless households on record. Clearly, we have to get a grip. But solving this problem will take thought, courage and time. The Government's proposals are rushed in order to be 'scored' by the OBR in time for the Spring Statement. In a panic, the Treasury opted to simply top-slice spending by raising the threshold for disability benefits across the board. This leads to some deeply concerning outcomes. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), three in four Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants with arthritis, two in three with cardiovascular disease, and even a third with cancer could lose support. Yet there is another way, one which focuses on the root causes of the crisis. But that must start with a grown-up conversation about mental health. Monthly PIP claims have more than doubled, driven in large part by a threefold increase in people citing mental health conditions. Meanwhile the majority of people on Universal Credit receiving health-related top-ups now also report poor mental health. Tragically, it is disproportionately young people fuelling this rise, those most likely to suffer the mental and emotional consequences of being out of work. And yet it is the system itself that is driving worklessness and dependency. Of course, PIP eligibility does not require someone to be out of work. Yet five in six recipients are. Taken in the round, once you tot up all the various benefits, the system has tilted towards incentivising ill health rather than supporting recovery. There is another way. New research from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) shows that better targeting of mental health benefits – focusing help to those with more serious conditions – could save the Government up to £9 billion. A more humane and sustainable approach to reform would recognise that, for many people with anxiety or depression, ensuring proper treatment is much more compassionate than parking them on benefits and slamming the door to an independent life. First, the government could use the savings to fund a £1 billion investment in NHS Talking Therapies, expanding 1.5 million additional treatment courses. CSJ polling also finds that nearly half the public believe people with less severe conditions should be supported through programmes and services, compared to one in five saying cash. Second, the Government should accelerate the rollout of Universal Support, originally launched by the last Conservative government and now rebranded as Connect to Work. This scheme works with the local charities and community organisations best placed to help people who are furthest from the workforce. These inspirational people are already on the ground, collaborating with employers to tackle the most difficult barriers to work, whether family breakdown, debt, addiction, and poor health. Finally, for the first time, sickness benefit is being brought into Universal Credit as I had designed originally. The DWP now has powerful tools Universal Credit provides. The NHS has made it clear that for depression and anxiety, the largest new claimant group, work is a health treatment. Yet far too many people were left on sickness benefit with no meaningful contact. Many who were off work for health reasons received no time with a work coach at all. Now under Universal credit that can change. The system should be doing more – using AI to free up work coach time – to increase the contact time with claimants and not leaving them parked on the sidelines. Our welfare system needs reform, not arbitrary cuts. I understand the pressure Liz Kendall is under. But short-term fixes risk doing lasting damage. We need a system that treats people with compassion while actively supporting them to recover and return to work. That's how to reduce dependency, control costs, and rebuild lives.
