Business magazine: Onward and upward for Amanda McMillan

Last year was one of “unprecedented growth,” says Amanda McMillan, the airport’s managing director. More than 8.7 million passengers passed through its doors in 2015, representing an annual increase of 13 per cent – more than one million additional passengers. The airport has seen five years of consecutive growth and this year marks its 50th anniversary with the anticipation that the upward curve will continue.

It’s a particularly gratifying prospect for McMillan, who was born and brought up nearby at Linwood, and who was appointed chief executive officer of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton (AGS) Airports in December 2014 following the sale of the three airports to Ferrovial and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) from Heathrow Airport Holdings.

The past year has been a positive one for many airlines, with low fuel costs among the reasons to encourage them to add routes and flights – and Glasgow has been happy to facilitate their ambition. In 2015 it announced 30 new routes and services, including to Budapest, Prague, Milan, Berlin and Marseille.  This month sees a new, daily service to Charles de Gaulle in Paris while the past year has, says McMillan, also seen Glasgow cement its position as Scotland’s leading long-haul airport: Thomas Cook Airlines and Virgin Atlantic both launched direct routes to Las Vegas for summer 2015; in May last year Canadian airline WestJet launched a daily service to Halifax, Nova Scotia and in 2016 Air Transat and Air Canada rouge will begin new routes to Montreal and Toronto.

For McMillan, an accountant who had previously worked with global firms Diageo and KMPG, the figures are stacking up in what she has described as a programme of investment that will be “transformational for the passengers” as well as being a hub for the success of the wider Scottish economy.

One only has to look at the febrile debate surrounding a new runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick to realise that airports are linchpin infrastructures in the economy at a local, national and international level.

A Wider Economic Impacts assessment produced in 2015 by the Airports Commission highlighted that airport expansion resulted in reductions in general costs, better connectivity and accessibility leading to businesses increasing output at no additional cost; access to wider markets leading to greater economies of scale for trade; and the formation of economic clusters around airports benefiting from knowledge transfers, labour pooling and lower transport costs.

As someone who has called for reform of the Air Passenger Duty, McMillan believes that the Scottish Government’s commitment to reduce and eventually abolish the contentious tax will underpin these benefits.

“This will play a major role in strengthening Scotland’s connectivity and will help to boost our economy,” she says. “In 2014 Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports together made the case for the devolution of APD to the Smith Commission and we welcomed the positive response to that in the final report that was published last year.”

It’s clearly an issue about which McMillan has strong feelings: “We are now urging the Scottish Government to implement its promised 50 per cent cut in APD as soon as possible. The longer this tax is in place, the longer it will damage Scotland’s economy, our tourism potential and our ability to prosper as a nation – and this is something that has been recognised by out business and tourism partners.”

Since 2010 Glasgow Airport has invested more than £50 million in upgrading its terminal and facilities, a significant part of this directed at redeveloping the international arrivals area before the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It’s a programme of enhancement that McMillan takes a very personal interest in – she’s known for her presence in the terminal, mixing with passengers and “getting right in the moment” with them, believing that while pursuing the long-term view is important, it is the crucial everyday delivery that makes it possible.

“This year we’re undertaking a significant terminal redevelopment project,” she says. “Phase One is already under way and will result in new retail and catering facilities for passengers.”

This adds to passenger enjoyment– but is also important to the airport.  Although varying considerably by region and individual site, The Journal of Air Transport Management calculates that on average commercial revenues account for about half the total and contented passengers in a pleasant environment are more likely to spend, particularly if offered greater choice.

When McMillan took on the job of managing director at Glasgow in 2008 she was the first female in the post – and remains something of a rarity in a male-dominated industry. It isn’t something that appears to trouble her unduly and has, she says, seldom if ever presented any problems. “Over the years there have been times when I’ve been called ‘dear’ or been looked at strangely when I’ve said that I’m MD of an airport but overall I’ve been welcomed wholeheartedly and taken seriously by both my male and female colleagues.”

While believing that it is important for women to pursue high-profile positions in sectors that they may previously have ruled out, she’s not a fan of positive discrimination or quotas. “If women are to be listened to in senior roles, that has to be based on their own individual merit – views shouldn’t be taken seriously just because a quota says they should. Throughout my career I’ve always focused on finding roles that suit my capabilities and personality, rather than ones that I should adopt stereotypically as a woman.”

The whole subject of women in business, she stresses, should start at school. “Girls and young women should be encouraged to pursue roles that they are naturally good at and encouraged to enter a career that is right for them.”

Diversity, she says, is good for business. “I think women can raise their personal profile in any business by having their own strengths and passions – their unique selling points.” And refreshingly, she also believes in keeping things in perspective: “I think you can be highly professional without losing your sense of spirit and fun.”

Meanwhile, McMillan is looking forward to further connecting the airport with the wider community and business with plans for the development of a tram-train link to connect Glasgow city centre, Paisley and Glasgow Airport.

“This is the flagship project in the £1.13bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal, would offer a 16.5 minute direct journey between the city centre and airport and presents an exciting opportunity to deliver real benefits to the city region and beyond.

“Improving transport links is a top priority for us, particularly at a time when we are enjoying sustained passenger growth.”

That growth, she believes, will translate into another record of nine million passengers in the 50th anniversary year of 2016. Her view of how to achieve this, she would concur, sounds like a typically Glaswegian, no-nonsense approach. “You have to be authentic – don’t try to be all things to all people. Focus on what you do well and do it to the best of your ability.

“All in all, if you work in a line of business that you love, you will succeed and that will in turn benefit the economy.”

Fast facts

A qualified Chartered Accountant, Amanda McMillan, 47, was appointed managing director of Glasgow Airport, which supports 8,200 jobs, in 2008 and CEO of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton Airports in 2014.

In 2013 she received an OBE in recognition of services to business and tourism and her success at the airport was recognised when in 2015 Glasgow was named UK airport of the year at the National Transport Awards.

She also holds posts including:

• Member of the First Minister of Scotland’s Council of Economic Advisers
• Non Executive of utilities firm business stream
• Member of the University of Glasgow Business School Advisory Board
• Ambassador for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice
• Board Member of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Amanda is married to Fraser, who is a lawyer with Pinsent Masons, and has two children.