Transport secretary appoints aviation experts to NATS board

Two aviation experts have been appointed to the board of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK’s leading air traffic management provider, by the Department for Transport.

Richard Keys and Iain McNicoll have been appointed as non-executive Partnership Directors on the board of NATS, which has its head quarters in Whiteley, by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

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Iain McNicoll

Baroness Brenda Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde has also been reappointed to the same role.

The new appointees take over from Sigurd Reinton and Andrew White – who have served for six and seven years respectively – making significant contributions to NATS. Mr Reinton and Mr White’s appointments ended on Saturday (August 31).

Mr McLoughlin said: “To have secured such high quality and experienced individuals for the NATS board is excellent news.

“Iain McNicoll was previously Air Marshal and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Operations in the Royal Air Force and his technical expertise will be invaluable to the company.

“Richard Keys will bring extensive commercial and financial experience to the board. And Brenda Dean, who has been reappointed, has a strong background in industrial relations. I know that all three appointments will be extremely beneficial to the business.

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Richard Keys

“I would also like to record my appreciation for the commitment and professionalism of Sigurd Reinton and Andrew White, who are retiring as Partnership Directors.”

Richard Deakin, Chief Executive Officer said: “I would like to welcome Richard and Iain who both have a wealth of relevant experience and will be a great asset to the board. I am also delighted that Baroness Dean will continue to work with NATS and would like to take this opportunity to thank Sigurd and Andrew for their commitment to the board over the last six and seven years respectively.”

Richard Keys’ and Iain McNicoll’s appointments were effective from yesterday (September 1) and are for a period of three years. Baroness Dean’s two-year reappointment will come to an end on July 25 2015.