London Southend Airport announces leadership transition to support its next phase of growth
London Southend Airport today announced the appointment of its long-standing Director of Operations, Marc Taylor, as acting Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
Current Chief Executive Officer John Upton, who joined the airport in September 2022, has decided to step down to pursue new opportunities.
Over the course of John’s tenure as Chief Executive Officer, London Southend has achieved several significant milestones on its path to post-Covid recovery, including a significant increase in destinations from three to 15, a return to year-round flying, a successful transition of ownership following its acquisition by Carlyle and Cyrus Capital Partners and, most recently, a multi-year deal with airline partner easyJet, which will see three based aircraft on-site from Summer 2025.
Having joined the airport in 1998, Marc brings significant experience and an in-depth understanding of London Southend’s operations, and, in his role as acting CEO, will be focused on continuing to drive operational performance and further scaling the business.
Marc Taylor said: “I am honoured to take on this role. My focus will be on continuing to provide travellers with exceptional customer service and building on the airport’s recent momentum. London Southend remains a key asset to Southend City and the East Anglia region, and I look forward to working alongside our highly skilled teams as we continue to capitalise on the many opportunities that lie ahead. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank John for his contribution and leadership over the last few years.”
John Upton said: “London Southend has successfully navigated its way through a number of challenges over the past few years, but now boasts a solid foundation for future growth. I very much look forward to celebrating the airport’s continued success and I will, of course, be a frequent flyer.”
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About London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport, ranked the best London airport by consumer group Which? six times and voted the best UK airport (under three million capacity) by the Airport Operator’s Association in 2019.
Serving close to 2.3 million passengers in 2019, London Southend offered services to around 40 domestic and European cities. The terminal has its own railway station, less than 100 paces from the main entrance, with up to six trains an hour at peak times to central London, taking just 52 minutes to Liverpool Street and 43 minutes from Stratford. All airport car parks are located minutes from the terminal entrance.