Liverpool John Lennon Airport has appointed Clive Condie as its new chairman, succeeding Robert Hough who held the role for a significant period. The announcement comes as the airport celebrates a record-breaking year for passenger numbers and prepares for an ambitious programme of expansion.
New chairman’s extensive aviation career
Condie, a former chairman of London Luton Airport, brings decades of senior experience across the aviation, infrastructure and logistics sectors. He served as Chairman of Luton from November 2013 to June 2018 and acted as its interim chief executive in 2014. His earlier career includes a lengthy tenure as General Manager at Manchester Airport between 1982 and 1997, followed by a role as Vice President – Speedwing at British Airways from 1997 to 2001. He later served as Chief Executive of Churchill Airports Worldwide LLP from 2004 to 2014.
Condie currently holds board-level positions as a Non-Executive Director at Esken, formerly Stobart Group Ltd, and as an Airport Operating Partner at Ardian. His executive background also encompasses leadership positions with companies that have invested in multiple UK and international airports, giving him a broad operational and strategic perspective on the industry.
Tim Power, partner at Ancala, the airport’s majority owner, described Condie as “a brilliant addition to our board” who will build on the contributions of his predecessor. John Irving, chief executive of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: “We are delighted to have Clive join us as chairman as we look towards the next stage of growth at Liverpool Airport and his wealth of aviation experience will be invaluable in the coming years.”
Condie himself said: “Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a great success story and I am really looking forward to joining the board at this exciting time. I am honoured to be taking over from Robert Hough and working with John Irving and his team to play my part in contributing to the airport’s ambitious growth plans and the economic benefits that it will bring to the Liverpool region.”
Record growth and ambitious expansion plans
Condie’s appointment coincides with a period of exceptional growth for the airport. In 2025, Liverpool John Lennon Airport handled a record 5.6 million passengers – the busiest year in its 92-year history, surpassing the previous peak set in 2007. The surge has been driven by the continued expansion of services from easyJet, Ryanair, and the arrival of Jet2.com in 2024.
The airport’s Master Plan to 2050 sets out an ambitious trajectory: it aims to serve 7.8 million passengers annually by 2030 and 11 million by 2050. Achieving those targets will require serving additional destinations, including potential long-haul routes. To support the growth, the airport is planning a £100 million investment over the next decade, which could cover terminal expansion, additional car parking, hotels, retail space, and a possible runway extension.
Beyond passenger numbers, the airport is a significant driver of the regional economy. It contributes an estimated £340 million annually to the Liverpool City Region economy and is projected to support approximately 12,280 jobs by 2030. Around 1,800 jobs are currently supported on-site.
Ownership of the airport rests primarily with Ancala Partners, which holds a 94.2% stake; Liverpool City Council retains a 5.8% interest. Ancala first invested in the airport in 2019 and in October 2025 acquired an additional 47.1% share from The Peel Group, becoming the majority shareholder. The Peel Group had been a shareholder since 1997, with Robert Hough serving as chairman throughout that period.
Hough, the outgoing chairman, leaves a notable legacy. He was instrumental in shaping the airport’s growth as well as other major regional projects including Salford Quays and the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. He was awarded a CBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list for services to business in the North West, and also held leadership roles with the North West Regional Development Agency and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
