Atkins to leave MAG after 24 years

John Atkins, managing director of Manchester Airports Group Development, is set to leave the company in December to establish a strategic land business.

Atkins was formerly Airport City director before moving to the managing director role in 2007. He joined the development team as strategy and development director in 2003, but has been with MAG since 1990.

A key aspect of his role as managing director was the management of the MAG real estate portfolio, which includes £550m of offices, logistics and hotels. Atkins played a major role in drawing up plans for the ongoing £800m Airport City Manchester development, with development manager Argent and investors the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and Beijing Engineering & Construction Group, and contractor Carillion.

Alongside his position as a founding partner in a strategic land company, Atkins has also been appointed as non-executive director in a property consultancy.

Atkins' departure is the latest in a series of senior personnel changes at MAG in the last year, with Airport City director Karen Campbell resigning after 10 months in the role in October 2013. In June, former director of real estate at Aberdeen Asset Management, Lynda Shillaw, joined MAG as property chief executive.

Atkins said: "I have overseen many significant changes in my time with MAG, including the acquisition of East Midlands, Bournemouth and Stansted Airports. I have also seen Airport City developed from just a concept to what it is today. It has the growth structure in place and is well into the delivery phase, so it seems like a good time to do and pursue new opportunities."

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, said: "John has played a key role at MAG Property in his time with the business and has been invaluable in helping to deliver Airport City.

"We would like to thank John for his contribution over the years to MAG and wish him all the very best for the future."