The Executive Committee develops and recommends to the Board, medium and long-term business development strategies. They ensure the delivery of agreed strategies by providing guidance, approvals, governance and monitoring.
Thomas Woldbye, Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Woldbye took up the role as CEO of Heathrow in October 2023, after 11 years at the helm of Copenhagen airports. As CEO, Thomas is focussed on driving innovation, improved customer service, sustainability and growth at the UK’s hub airport. This includes overseeing the airport’s multi billion pound investment plans to upgrade existing facilities, expand capacity and provide an even better service for passengers. Thomas is a member of His Majesty’s Sustainable Markets Initiative, the British American Business Advisory Board and the Jet Zero Council.
Under Thomas’s stewardship, Copenhagen Airport was consistently rated as one of the world’s top airports, both in terms of customer and retail experience as well as efficiency and profitability.
Previously, Thomas worked for A.P. Møller-Maersk for 27 years. He started his career as a management trainee in 1983, and over the next 20 years, held several management positions in Indonesia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Denmark.
Ross Baker, Chief Customer Officer
Ross was appointed as Chief Customer Officer, having previously served as Chief Commercial Officer since January 2017. Before ascending to this role, he was Heathrow’s Director of Operations and, prior to that, Director of Strategy. Ross joined Heathrow in 2011, bringing a wealth of experience from various advisory and industry roles. His background includes time at Bain & Company, where he consulted on strategic, commercial, and operational projects. Before Bain, Ross spent a decade at British Airways, undertaking a variety of operational and commercial management positions both in the UK and internationally.
Sally Ding, Acting Chief Financial Officer
Sally was appointed as Acting Chief Financial Officer in April 2024. Since joining Heathrow in 2006, Sally has played a key role in shaping Heathrow’s capital structure and establishing Heathrow’s credit in the financial market.
In over 6 years as the Director of Treasury, Sally has driven and delivered sophisticated financing strategy during both expansion and crisis periods, as well as complicated business planning for the last couple of years to enable business recovery and accelerate growth.
Javier Echave, Chief Operating Officer
Javier was appointed as Chief Operating Officer, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer since November 2016. He joined Heathrow in January 2008, bringing extensive expertise in finance and operations. As Chief Financial Officer, Javier was instrumental in establishing Heathrow's robust capital structure and securing its position as a strong entity in the financial markets. Prior to his role as CFO, he served as Finance Director for Operations and Performance. During this period, he played a pivotal role in the implementation of a cost-efficiency programme and conducted rigorous evaluations of a multi-billion capital investment plan.
Helen Elsby, Chief Solutions Officer
Helen was appointed as Chief Solutions Officer in September 2021. She joined Heathrow in 2009. Previously she was Heathrow’s Director of Procurement, before that the Expansion Integration Director and Capital Development Director. Prior to joining Heathrow in 2009, Helen spent 8 years at British Airways where she held a development management role.
Mine Hifzi, General Counsel
Mine was appointed General Counsel in July 2022. Before joining Heathrow she was General Counsel at Virgin Media for 7 years leading the legal team and subsequently the regulatory, government affairs and sustainability teams. Prior to Virgin Media, Mine was at Scripps Networks Interactive as Senior Vice President of Commercial and Legal Affairs, where she held a combined international legal and commercial role. Mine has also held a number of other senior roles including, Senior Vice President and Chief International Counsel at Discovery Communications, and senior international legal positions at Turner Broadcasting and United International Pictures. She also worked at Clifford Chance LLP.
Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer
Nigel was appointed to Heathrow's Exec team in September 2021. In his former role, he led Heathrow’s Carbon Strategy, Communications, and Sustainability & Communities Teams. Before this, Nigel served as Director of Communications at Heathrow, where he spearheaded the campaign to gain political and public support for a third runway. Nigel's tenure at Heathrow began in 2010, following roles at Virgin Atlantic and various aviation policy positions at the Department for Transport.
Paula Stannett, Chief People Officer
Paula was appointed to HR Director in January 2013. She has worked at Heathrow for 13 years, most recently as HR Director for our Airports Division and Support Services and previously as programme lead for Heathrow's Winter Resilience. Paula has a strong record of engaging staff to successfully put in place organisational change and improvement.
