The man who secured planning consent for Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first new nuclear power station for a generation, is joining Gatwick as chief planning officer.
Tim Norwood replaces Alastair McDermid, the director who led the airport’s failed campaign for a second runway.
McDermid will continue to work for Gatwick as an advisor, but will step down from his current role as Airports Commission director next month.
Norwood, who joins from EDF Energy on February 27, will lead a review of the airport’s master plan and help deliver a £1.2 billion investment in infrastructure.
He will also lead Gatwick’s response to the government’s draft national policy statement and aviation strategy review after a third runway was approved for rival Heathrow.
Norwood was chief planning officer for EDF Energy, where he secured planning consent for Hinkley Point C, and more recently led a major consultation on another new nuclear power station – Sizewell C – in Suffolk.
He previously spent more than 10 years at BAA, holding several senior roles promoting airport expansion as planning manager for Heathrow Terminal 5, head of environmental planning for Stansted’s second runway project and head of planning for the expansion of Heathrow.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Tim will play a leading role realising Gatwick’s exciting future and his unparalleled experience and will help the airport to deliver its ambitious £1.2 billion investment programme going forward.
“I would also like to thank Alastair McDermid for his significant contribution to Gatwick over the past few years.
“He shaped and then drove forward Gatwick’s highly credible and deliverable case for a second runway.
“His work helped change the profile of Gatwick’s ambition and I am delighted that he will continue as an advisor to the airport.”