• East Midlands Airport has appointed a new Operations Director as it looks to an exciting future by growing its passenger and cargo operations.
• Lauren Turner takes up the post after working in a wide variety of roles at the airport since 2013 when she joined as a security officer.

This announcement follows the recent appointment of a new Commercial Director, whose focus is on delivering the airport’s cargo growth plan and widening its passenger route network, including a major European hub airport to connect East Midlands to the rest of the world.

The airport’s ambitious growth plans present huge opportunities and challenges for its day-to-day operations – something Lauren says she is relishing. After completing a diploma in travel and tourism, she didn’t follow the path of many of her fellow female students into the airline world and says that deciding to work at an airport was “the best decision I have ever made,” opening up a wide variety of job opportunities.

Following her stint with security, she held roles in airfield security, the airport’s control room and as airfield operations supervisor, at a time when she was the only woman in the team – now half men and half women.

She then became an Airport Duty Manager overseeing daily operations for the whole airport and subsequently took the role of Head of Airfield Operations. In that role she led the project to increase existing capacity for aircraft stands across all three aprons ahead of longer-term growth plans.

Her new role sees her in charge of a wide range of crucial functions, from Airfield Operations, Fire Service and Command & Control to Business Resilience and Air Traffic Control – a total of 189 staff. Air Traffic Control, which has faced significant industry and global challenges since the pandemic, is an area she is particularly keen to help restore to full strength. Several job opportunities are currently available, and a new Head of Air Traffic Control is set to begin in the new year.

With a diverse operational background and strong technical expertise, Lauren is responsible for ensuring full compliance with UK aviation regulations, maintaining the highest standards of safety both for passengers and staff.

Lauren said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of shaping a new era at East Midlands Airport. Having been here for 12 years, I have seen the business and the industry at its lowest during Covid, but we’re now at our best with exceptional performance that’s powering global trade and supporting the economy.

“We have really clear ambitions which will transform the airport and I’m looking forward to working alongside our new Commercial Director on those plans and taking our teams on that journey. I’m also looking forward to working with our new Head of Air Traffic Control, where we’re investing heavily in new technology over the next five years, and I want to build the team that plays such a vital role in keeping our operation running safely.”

East Midlands Airport’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “I’m delighted to have Lauren as our new Operations Director. She is a very capable and valued member of the team, bringing a passion for the airport and its future, along with a wealth of experience, determination and great knowledge of all aspects of our operation.

“With our recent appointment of a new Commercial Director, we now have people in two pivotal roles on the senior management team whose business focus will help us to shape and deliver the ambitious plans we have for the airport.”