Ms Lee de Winton takes up the position following a lengthy executive search process
She has had over 20 years’ experience in corporate, defence and government organisations, including over 10 years in senior positions at the Royal Australian Air Force and more recently head of freight operations at Qantas.
“I love running airports – it’s been my life for the past 10 to 12 years,” she said.
Airports director, Damien Webb, said Ms de Winton was a key appointment to lead the airports and enhance the strategy of continued investment in those assets
“The [Bankstown and Camden] airports are an important investment for the owners; a critical piece of infrastructure for NSW; and a significant opportunity given the bright future for the greater Western Sydney area,” he said.
“Lee is an exceptional candidate given her experience overseeing the multi-national base at Tarin Kowt, in Afghanistan, her impact at Qantas and her recognition as recipient of the 2012 Telstra Business Woman’s Award for Community and Government.”
Ms de Winton takes up the position following the retirement of Colin Grove, who held the position for six years.
Ms de Winton hopes to have 12 regular passenger movements a day using the airport by the end of the year.
“Sydney to Canberra would be ideal … I would love the see that service here,” she said. .
Owners of the airports, First State Super and Altis Property Partners, purchased the Bankstown (313 hectares) and Camden (196 hectares) airports in late 2015 for $203 million.
The airports generate an annual rental income of more than $20 million from a diversified pool of aviation and non-aviation tenancies.
