London Gatwick Airport (LGW) has announced the appointment of Jonathan Pollard as Chief Commercial Officer.

He steps into a role that has been vacant for approximately 12 months following the departure of Guy Stephenson, LGW told TRBusiness.

Pollard, the subject of a recent ‘Adapt & Survive’ Skype video interview, will join LGW in September from London Luton Airport (LLA) where he currently holds the same position.

He will be tasked with spearheading the airport’s airline relations, retail, restaurant and other commercial revenue streams such as car parking and property.

Since joining LLA in 2017, Pollard has presided over the expansion of the airport’s commercial and retail space while fostering a commercial strategy centred around business research and passenger insight.

Prior to working at LLA, he spent 10 years at National Express where he held several executive roles, including Commercial Director of the coach division business. He holds a BSc in Air Transport Management from Loughborough University.

‘HELPING GATWICK REBUILD’

Pollard commented: “I’m delighted to take on this new challenge at Gatwick which is renowned for its approach to innovative commercial management. We are inevitably experiencing difficult times, but the aviation industry has proven its resilience in the past and this will likely be no exception as long as we adapt quickly to changes in consumer behaviour and passenger processes.

“I am looking forward to embracing this challenge with the Gatwick Executive and my wider team and driving forward our commercial offering.”

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive Officer, Gatwick Airport, added: “Jonathan joins us in what are unprecedented times and his experience and success driving vital revenue streams and developing new business will be critical in helping Gatwick rebuild and grow as the airport enters a new chapter in its history.”

The airport reopened its North Terminal today (15 June) with some airlines such as easyJet resuming limited services.