Team
 

Ed Anderson , Chairman

Ed Anderson has been the Chairman of AOA since 2008. He is also Chairman of the Yorkshire Building Society and the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Ed has held a number of senior executive positions in the airports industry including Deputy Managing Director of East Midlands Airport from 1987 to 1990, Managing Director of Leeds Bradford Airport from 1997 to 2007 and Chairman of the AOA in 2001‐02. He was a non executive director of Kelda Group plc and chaired its Audit Committee until the company was sold to an infrastructure fund in 2008. He is a director of a number of other public and voluntary sector organisations in Yorkshire.

Ed is an economics graduate and a qualified accountant. He has a particular interest in regional economic development and transport.

Darren Caplan , Chief Executive

In January 2011, Darren Caplan became the new Chief Executive The Airport Operators Association.

Darren has 14 years’ experience in communications, public affairs and politics in a number of sectors, including infrastructure, planning and technology. He has worked for public affairs and communications agencies PPS Group, Morgan Allen Moore and for the last four years Brands2Life, as director of its public affairs practice. His political experience includes working for the Conservative party and standing as a parliamentary candidate in the 2010 general election.

On his appointment, Darren said: "I’m incredibly passionate about aviation and the freedoms which airports bring, be they global trade benefits to UK plc, boosting regional and local growth, or enabling millions of people to holiday and visit friends and family in the UK and around the world. It’s certainly an exciting time to be working with the AOA team and members at this challenging time, with a new government bedding in and a UK economy desperate for the types of jobs and investment which airports create."

Robert Siddall , Policy Director

Rob Siddall is AOA’s Policy Director. He has overall responsibility for leading AOA’s work on fiscal, infrastructure, security and environment policy. He is the Association’s representative for Sustainable Aviation and the ACI Europe Policy Committee.

Prior to joining AOA he worked for the Chemical Industries Association on the European Emissions Trading Scheme, UK energy policy and international competitiveness. He has also worked as a technical consultant for an American construction contractor and in technical process development.

Rob is a graduate in Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, completed an MBA at Edinburgh Business School in 2006 and retains his status as a Chartered Engineer.

Tom Needham , Head of Operations and Safety Policy, and AOA Events

Tom Needham is Head of Operations and Safety Policy and Events. He previously held a number of senior positions at BAA including a period as an airport director. He has responsibility for all airport operational policy issues and the delivery of AOA’s conferences and events.

Tom maintains close liaison with the CAA and the Department of Transport on a range of operational issues including the transfer of safety regulation to Europe. He was also closely involved in the Definition Phase of the SESAR European ATM initiative.

Tom is a business graduate from the University of Edinburgh.

Luke Law , Campaigns Manager

Luke Law holds the post of Campaigns Manager and joined AOA permanently in January 2009 following a five-month internship.

In his role as Policy Specialist, Luke works closely with the Policy Director. He also has overall responsibility for the Associate Members events package and the Summer Reception, the AOA Security Group and the new website and extranet. He is also involved in the Business and General Aviation Network.

Luke is a graduate in Politics from Kingston University.

Rachel Dorban , Executive Assistant

Rachel Dorban is the Executive Assistant and joined AOA in July 2007 having previously worked in a number of office management and marketing roles.

Rachel manages the AOA office and all activity that underpins work with members, administers AOA events (principally the Conference and Annual Dinner) and oversees publication of The Airport Operator magazine and publicity material in general.

Rachel is a graduate in Religious Studies from Canterbury Christ Church College.

Leonie Martin , Finance and Accounts

Leonie Martin is AOA’s Accountant. She works on a part time basis and has been with AOA for over nine years. Previous to joinging the Association, she worked in policy and administration.

Leonie is responsible for invoicing and day-to-day financial matters. She also works closely with the Executive Assistant on AOA events.