Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on December 11, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleHeathrow Airport appoints Philip Jansen as chairman to lead its £49 billion expansion, including a third runway, aimed at boosting the UK economy.
Dec 11 (Reuters) - London-based Heathrow Airport on Thursday appointed Philip Jansen, WPP chairman and former BT Group CEO, as its new chairman to steer the airport through a crucial period of growth.
Jansen, who will succeed Paul Deighton after he steps down at the end of the year following a 9-year stint, was widely expected to be named as the next chairman for Europe's busiest airport, according to media reports.
Heathrow is set to undergo a 49 billion pound ($64 billion) expansion, which includes adding a third runway, that the UK government has chosen to back to boost UK economic growth and end decades of uncertainty over the airport's future.
"I'm keenly aware of the instrumental role Heathrow plays in the success of the UK economy and I'm motivated to play my part in its future," Jansen said in a statement.
Jansen steered BT through a key period in its 177-year-old history. During his tenure at the telecom group from 2019 to 2024, he secured funding for a national fibre network for 25 million homes and businesses and handled the arrival of billionaire investor Patrick Drahi on the shareholder register.
"(Jansen's) expert guidance will be essential as we progress our development plans," Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said.
(Reporting by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Shinjini Ganguli)
An expansion refers to a period of economic growth where the economy experiences increased production, employment, and consumer spending, often leading to improved business conditions.
A chairman is the head of a board of directors in an organization, responsible for leading meetings, making strategic decisions, and ensuring the board's effectiveness.
Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a specific period, typically measured by the rise in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A runway is a designated area on an airport where aircraft take off and land. It is typically paved and marked to ensure safe operations.
Funding refers to the financial resources provided to support a project, business, or initiative, which can come from various sources such as investors, loans, or grants.
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