Entering a New Chapter

It comes to us all. It’s a little like finding Radio 2, waiting for us at the end of the dial. And so on 9 May, the time has arrived when I have decided to begin my retirement.

It feels like a landmark personal moment. I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a long and varied career, a journey on which I have enjoyed every step of the way.

The last few months at Luton Rising have been particularly rewarding.

It’s been an incredible crescendo towards the successful submission of our Development Consent Order application for the expansion of the airport, and, of course, opening of the Luton DART.

Both have been outstanding team efforts, involving the dedicated hard work of so many talented people both within Luton Rising and our partner organisations.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work collaboratively with you all. It’s the people you do business with who make the difference. And in this case it’s particularly rewarding that those who will benefit most are the people of Luton.

We have strived to stretch the boundaries of what’s possible, to re-imagine how an airport can go further than ever before to place environmental issues at the heart of its concerns, and fulfil the directive of Luton Council to support local people, the most vulnerable of whom so desperately rely on the structured and guaranteed support that only organisations like ours can provide.

Everyone buys into the ethos, and our rebranding from London Luton Airport Ltd to Luton Rising has helped broaden the story of our commitment to positive social impact.

I would like to thank the leadership of Luton Council and the Board of Luton Rising for the trust and confidence placed in me over the last three-and-a-half years. It is difficult to say goodbye but I do so in confidence that Luton is in the best possible hands.

It’s been inspiring to witness how all the staff at Luton Rising share your deep-rooted commitment to public service, and the ability to support it by thinking and working with a private sector outlook.

It may seem a little strange to bow out right now, with so much more work to do. But there is the opportunity now for a new leader to take the helm and steer all our projects through the next period.

I am delighted that Nick Prowse, our Head of Legal and Commercial Services, will shortly begin work as Luton Rising’s new Interim Managing Director and I am committed to ensuring the organisation achieves a smooth transition into his extremely capable leadership.

I will continue to be active in my support for everything Luton is working to achieve. Our mission is much more than that of an airport owner. More exciting developments are in progress, including the development of our Morton House skills and business hub, Bartlett Square, and a vision for the Green Horizons Business Park.

We have worked hard to stabilise the whole airport system in Luton during the pandemic.

Going forward there is such an incredible chance to re-imagine Luton as an integrated airport city, with the capacity to deliver prosperity, and support families and wellbeing, on a scale that the town and its people so richly deserve.

We can also rely on the inspiring work of local charities and community organisations we support who commit their own lives to changing the fortunes of those less fortunate.

In this way, Luton can also lead the UK’s aviation sector. Many are already looking to our example.

Good luck, and a fond farewell

Graham