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A former Treasury minister has reportedly been approached about taking over as the new chairman of Heathrow Airport Holdings.
Lord Deighton, who stepped down as Commercial Secretary to the Treasury last year, is on a list of candidates being drawn up by headhunters acting for Heathrow’s board ahead of a decision about whether it will be allowed to build a new runway, Sky News reported.
The new chairman will replace Sir Nigel Rudd, who announced late last year that he would step down in 2016 after nine years in the role.
A decision about the location of a new runway for the southeast was delayed last month until after the London mayoral election in May.
Announcing Sir Nigel’s departure last month, Heathrow said: “Preparations are underway for the appointment of a new chairperson who will take forward the airport’s expansion plans and help Heathrow achieve its ambition of giving passengers the best airport service in the world.
“To ensure a smooth transition, Sir Nigel will remain in post until this work is completed in the second half of 2016.”
A spokeswoman for Heathrow said the company did not comment on speculation, while Lord Deighton could not be reached, Sky News said.