Case Study: Chair Appointment – Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Client: Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Appointment: Chair
Placed Candidate: Clive Condie
The Company:
Liverpool John Lennon Airport, owned by Ancala Partners, is one of the UK’s fastest growing regional airports. It recently recorded its busiest year on record in 2025, driven by continued airline growth and investment in passenger facilities. With strong momentum across both its aero and commercial operations, the airport is entering a new phase of growth, with ambitions to deepen its impact on Liverpool and the wider region.
The Situation:
With Ancala increasing their ownership to 94.2%, and the exit of the PEEL Group as a shareholder, meant Liverpool John Lennon Airport needed a successor who could match that legacy and carry the momentum forward. The board was looking for a Chair with deep, credible experience across aviation, infrastructure and logistics, someone who understood the commercial and operational realities of running an airport, and who could work closely with CEO John Irving and the leadership team to support the next stage of the airport’s growth strategy.
The appointment came through our existing relationship with Ancala Partners, the private equity fund behind Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Having worked with Ancala previously, we understood their investment thesis, their standards for board level talent, and what “the right fit” looks like for the assets in their portfolio, giving us a head start in shaping a brief that matched both the airport’s needs and Ancala’s expectations for the role.
Our Process – 7 weeks from start to completion:
Search parameters and shortlist.
We began by agreeing the search parameters and role specification directly with Ancala and the airport board, before drawing on our market maps and referral network, including our database of over 300 Chair and Non-Executive Director level candidates, to build a strong, diverse longlist of individuals with direct, relevant experience in aviation, infrastructure and logistics. This was then narrowed to an agreed shortlist within the agreed interview timeframe.
Interview and assessment.
Shortlisted candidates went through structured candidate screening, followed by case study and technical assessment stages designed around the specific commercial and operational challenges facing the airport, before a final round with the board.
Offer and onboarding.
Once Clive Condie was confirmed as the board’s preferred candidate, we managed the offer and start date discussions, and maintained continuous dialogue with Clive through to his appointment, ensuring a smooth handover from outgoing Chair Robert Hough.
Throughout the process, we shared suitable profiles quickly and on a continuous basis. Clive Condie stood out immediately. A former Chairman of London Luton Airport, Clive brings a wealth of international board-level experience across executive, non-executive and chair roles in aviation, infrastructure and logistics, including senior leadership positions across companies invested in multiple UK and international airports.
The Outcome
Clive Condie was appointed Chairman of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, joining the board at a pivotal moment as the airport builds on its record passenger numbers and prepares for its most significant year of aircraft basing to date. The appointment was warmly welcomed by both Ancala and the airport’s leadership: Partner Tim Power described Clive as a “brilliant addition” to the board, while CEO John Irving called his aviation experience “invaluable” for the airport’s next stage of growth. For Clive himself, the appointment marks the chance to build on Liverpool’s “great success story” and contribute directly to the economic benefits the airport brings to the wider region – a strong signal of alignment between candidate, client and investor from day one.
Testimonials
Tim Power, Partner, Ancala:
“Clive is a brilliant addition to our board and will build on the contributions of the previous chair, Robert Hough. Together, we are focused on helping the airport to further expand its aero and commercial service offerings, and to build on its already industry-leading performance and customer service, all the while focused on increasing its positive impact on Liverpool and the wider region.”
John Irving, CEO, Liverpool John Lennon Airport:
“We are delighted to have Clive join us as Chairman as we look towards the next stage of growth at Liverpool Airport and his wealth of aviation experience will be invaluable in the coming years.”
Clive Condie, Chairman, Liverpool John Lennon Airport:
“Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a great success story and I am really looking forward to joining the board at this exciting time. I am honoured to be taking over from Robert Hough and working with John Irving and his team to play my part in contributing to the airport’s ambitious growth plans and the economic benefits that it will bring to the Liverpool region.”
“I enjoyed working with Joe Rudkin… very helpful, insightful and professional. His communication was excellent and I would not hesitate working with him in the future or recommending Pearse Portfolio to others.”
