Dave Lees has been appointed the new Managing Director of Southampton Airport, with effect from 31st July 2010. He will take over the role from Kevin Brown, who has been appointed Managing Director of Edinburgh Airport.

Dave has worked at Southampton Airport since 2007, first as Planning & Development Director, and more recently as Operations Director. Key achievements during this time have included the development of the Southampton Airport Master Plan which gives details of future growth plans up to 2030. Dave has also instigated the £7 million capital investment programme which is currently underway to improve airport facilities. This has taken place at the same time as Southampton Airport has been voted the top in Europe for customer service.

Dave joined BAA, the company that owns Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow & Aberdeen airports, in 1990. He started as a graduate trainee, after gaining a First Class Honours Degree in Transport Management, from Loughborough University. He has held a wide range of senior roles at BAA in areas such as  passenger terminal management, engineering, industry regulation, commerce and service improvement.

Dave comments: "I am really looking forward to leading the Southampton Airport team and building upon its excellent reputation throughout Europe for customer service".

Dave, aged 42, is married with two children. His interests outside of work include swimming, running, photography, travelling and playing the saxophone.