Our Board
Willie Mackie – Interim Non-Executive Chairman
Following a 36 year career in Financial Services where he held a number of senior positions in Risk and regional management, Willie established his own business consultancy in 2013.
In addition to his business career, Willie has held a number of Non-Executive appointments in the public sector. He was appointed to the board of Skills Development Scotland in 2014 where he is Chair of the Finance, Operational and Performance Committee. In 2015, he was appointed to the board of Scottish Enterprise as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and subsequently appointed Deputy Chair of the board of management in 2018.
Over the past 20 years he has held a number of local and national roles supporting economic and skills development. In 2014 he was appointed Regional Chair of Ayrshire College. He is also a board member of Colleges Scotland where he is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. He is a past president of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and received an honorary doctorate from the University of the West of Scotland in 2019.
Ian Forgie – Chief Executive Officer
Having successfully performed as CFO at the airport for three years the board appointed Ian as deputy CEO in Oct 2020 and as CEO in May 2021. In Ian’s early career he set up and ran his own businesses before qualifying as a Scottish CA. In 1999 he took up position of Group Financial Controller at the Airport for 2 years while owned by Stagecoach Plc. He then moved on to develop his career with various senior management roles within large and SME businesses, before returning to the Airport in 2018 joining a new board and, together with a refreshed executive team, successfully turned the business around. Ian’s commercial and financial experience spans over 35 years and as well as the aviation sector he has worked in leadership roles in pharmaceuticals, distribution, dairy and technology sectors in the UK and USA.
Ian has built up a wealth of business management experience and commercial acumen from working in complex businesses, where he has dealt with restructuring, corporate governance as well as stakeholder and people management and is passionate about continuing to develop the success story delivered by the business in recent years, ensuring that the airport remains an important part of the economy and community in which it operates.
Bill McPherson – Non-Executive Director
Recently returned from the UAE after a 20-year career with Emirates Airline, Bill played an integral part in the growth and expansion of the airline and ended his term as Vice President Airport Services, responsible for their Worldwide Airport operations, Ground Product, and front-line teams.
During this period, he served on numerous IATA Executive committees with a particular focus on Ground Operations, Auditing, Safety and Risk Management related matters. Whilst in Dubai, he led the Emirates participation in the UAE National Development programme, welcoming local students into the business community and developing them to become the country’s leaders of the future. Other senior positions held during this period included leading the Emirates operation in West Asia, Australasia, and North America.
Prior to this Bill held various management positions in Air UK and British Airways both in the United Kingdom and Overseas.
Jamie Ross
Jamie brings with him extensive experience within the transport sector and global aviation services following his six years of leading Menzies Aviation’s commercial activities across the world with major airline and fuel companies, building relationships with customers, partners and suppliers.
His career has encompassed a wide variety of leadership roles, most recently as Executive Vice President – Commercial for Menzies Aviation. Prior to that he held senior commercial and business development positions with the Go-Ahead Group plc and Serco Group plc. He held operational and general management positions at Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) and Northern Rail.
He also had a four-year period in the Scottish Government, working across multiple sectors of the transport industry. As a result, he has considerable knowledge of both public and private sector transport operations and an in depth understanding of the role that transport plays in the wider economy.
Juan Merrill – Finance Director
A Chartered Management Accountant with over 30 years’ experience in business Juan’s career has spanned technology, banking, printing and engineering.
Juan’s career in finance starting in engineering then moving into the printing industry and becoming a Site Finance Director for the largest privately owned printing group in Europe. During an extensive period in corporate banking , Juan held senior roles in Finance & Strategy, Technology, Risk Management and Capital Efficiency. Prior to joining the airport in March 2020 Juan held the position of Head of Finance for a rapidly growing international technology company, headquartered in Portugal.
Juan has extensive experience across business planning and control, risk management, data management and stakeholder engagement. He has helped turn-around struggling businesses and delivered several business efficiency change programmes.
Paul Neep – Non-Executive Director
Paul’s executive career was with leading international companies in the paper, pharmaceutical, hospitality and drinks industries.
Paul was the Chief Executive Officer of Glenmorangie PLC / The Glenmorangie Company for 14 years where he led its successful international development and growth; the sale of the Company to LVMH and significant transformation and capital development programmes.
As a Non-Executive, Paul was, until mid-2017, on the Board of Devro PLC for 12 years where he was the Senior Independent Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
Post his role as Chief Executive, Paul was the Chairman of The Glenmorangie Company for 4 years and was a Director/ Council Member of the Scotch Whisky Association for 13 years.