Blackpool Airport strives to consistently exceed our customers’ expectations
We are committed to quality at all times and we aim to engage with our stakeholders in an always open, trusting and respectful manner.
Core Values
Our core values are convenience, reliability, and value for money.
We support customers throughout the year with an excellent level of service.
Service Standards
There are lots of upcoming changes and exciting developments planned for Blackpool Airport, but one thing that will not change is our commitment to customers.
We continue to prioritise:
- The safety of customer aircraft and staff
- Consistently high standards of service, tailored to customer needs
- The highest standard of regularity in our performance i.e., efficiency, pricing, and response time
- Delivering our service professionally and with confidence
- Providing a welcome and friendly atmosphere
- Our ability to measure customer feedback and react in a timely manner
- Being prepared for disruption / inconvenience
Our management and business goals are:
- To offer customers a service which ensures their aircraft safety and satisfies their requirements
- To provide security of employment to staff and ensure a safe working environment at all times
- To continue to develop the business through growth opportunities
- Increased efficiency
- To recognise and react promptly and positively to industry changes
- To produce a profit which offers an acceptable return whilst monitoring overheads to ensure we remain on or below budget
- Know our goals and objectives, outlining performance against agreed targets
- To consistently meet planned timescales
- Working together as a team
- Measure our success – maintaining and improving efficiency and effectiveness
- To communicate our goals
- Continue offering exceptional training
- Protecting our open and honest culture
- Ensuring we adhere to all aviation regulations
Meet the Board
Cllr Gillian Campbell
Chair of Blackpool Airport Operations LTD (BAOL)
Cllr Gillian Campbell has Chaired BAOL since the Council bought the airport from Balfour Beatty. She was elected to the Council in 2011, and represents Park Ward.
Previously the Deputy Leader of the Council from 2015 to 2020, she is currently the Chair of the Appeals Committee and a member of the Planning Committee and a member of the Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee.
A Mum of three, Gillian was born in Edinburgh and has lived in Blackpool since 1999. She is excited by the challenges that bringing the airport licences back to the ownership of the Council brings, and enjoys working closely with all of the employees, tenants and stakeholders of the site in creating a sustainable future for the Airport and adjoining Enterprise Zone.
Cllr Jason Roberts
Non-Executive Director BAOL
Cllr Jason Roberts has been an elected member of Blackpool Council since May 2015. He sits on the Chief Officers Employment Committee and the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee. He also works at Manchester Airport.
Karen Whelan
Non-Executive Director BAOL and Chair of the Employment Committee
Karen was appointed an Independent Non-Executive Director in May 2022.
Karen has a life- long interest in aviation which has encompassed a B.Eng in Aeronautical Engineering, 29 years working for BAE Systems AIR sector business and regular flying from Blackpool airport as a member of one of the flying schools. Karen is Chair of the Employment Committee.
Karen Taylor
Non-Executive Director BAOL and Board Representative on the Executive Safety Review Board
Joining Gloucestershire Airport in 2018 as Commercial Financial Director, Karen Taylor was appointed Managing Director of the UK’s busiest general aviation airport in January 2021. Described by Aviation Business News as ’busy and brilliant’, Karen is not one to shy away from challenges.
During her four-year tenure she has remained wedded to bringing a modern commercial vision to Gloucestershire Airport – successfully spearheading what could be described as the single most transformative period in its history since Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City councils purchased the current site back in 1936 and oversaw construction of the airport we now have today.
She started her career in Financial Services working for companies including Natwest, Swiss Re, Zurich and Capita before diversifying into housing and care, then joining aviation.
David Brown
Non-Executive Director BAOL
David is an experienced aviation and built environment professional who has over 25 years of experience in delivering complex capital investment projects and programmes for both public and private sectors.
David has previously worked directly for Heathrow Airport Ltd and Manchester Airport Group Ltd and now works for a global Engineering and Management Consultancy where he leads the Aviation Advisory and Programme Delivery Business Unit supporting a large number of UK and International airport operators.
David has lived on the Fylde Coast since 1999 and joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in November 2024 to bring his expertise and experience to help his local community, and to optimise the long-term success of Blackpool Airport.
Bill McPherson
Non-Executive Director BAOL
Bill McPherson returned from the UAE in 2020 after a 20-year career with Emirates Airline, where he played an integral part in the growth and expansion of the airline and ended his term as Vice President Airport
Services, responsible for their Worldwide Airport operations, Ground Product and front-line teams.
During this period, he served on numerous IATA Executive committeeswith a particular focus on Ground Operations, Auditing, Safety and Risk Management related matters. Other senior positions held during this
period included leading the Emirates operation in West Asia, Australasia and North America.
Bill has also held various management positions in Air UK, Flybe and British Airways both in the United Kingdom and overseas. Originally from Clydebank in the West of Scotland, Bill has an MBA from Bradford
University.
He will also serve on the Executive Safety Review board of Blackpool Airport.
Owen Purcell
Non-Executive Director BAOL and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee
Owen Purcell has a BA (Hons) National University of Ireland and a PostGradDip Business Administration from University of Limerick. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors a Member of
the Institute of Directors. He is a former Managing Partner with EY and has workedinternationally with over 25 years of expertise in professional services, specialising in governance, risk management, strategic frameworks and business transformation.
He has a proven track record of driving inclusive growth, operational resilience and prudent financial stewardship. As a Managing Partner at EY, Owen led global teams, advising FTSE 100 and Fortune 1000 companies on strategic and operational risk frameworks.
His guidance has supported organisations in enhancing governance, fostering operational excellence and navigating complex transformations.
Owen’s governance expertise extends to several high-profile roles. He serves as Chair of UNiac, overseeing governance and risk frameworks and is a Non-Executive and Audit Committee Chair for Innovate UK Loans and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. He is also a Trustee and Audit Committee Chair for AbilityNet, where he ensures accountability and financial compliance for the global charity as well as a Trustee for the
National Youth Agency and a Governor at the Francis Holland Trust.