London, United Kingdom, August 2026 — London Gatwick has appointed Kathleen Maes as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), bringing extensive experience in human resources, organisational transformation, talent management, culture, employee engagement and leadership development. Her appointment comes as the airport continues to innovate and prepares for opportunities associated with its Northern Runway.
Maes joins London Gatwick following an extensive career at BT Group, where she most recently served as HR Director – Portfolio Business, Transformation and M&A. In this role, she developed and led people strategies for M&A projects, including employee engagement and retention as well as HR due diligence. She also managed the people strategy for two sales units generating approximately £2 billion in revenue, with responsibilities spanning leadership effectiveness, workforce optimisation, performance management, succession planning, talent management and inclusion initiatives.
Earlier, Maes served for more than six years as HR Director – Transformation and Europe at BT Group, leading global organisational transformation and M&A initiatives while overseeing the people agenda across European markets covering approximately 3,500 employees. Her remit included workforce planning, organisational design, employee engagement, performance, leadership development, organisational capability, HR governance and compliance. She had previously worked with BT as HR Manager Belux, managing employee relations and engaging with works councils and trade unions while contributing to leadership coaching and graduate development programmes.
Between her two periods with BT, Maes served as HR Manager Benelux at Jaguar Land Rover Benelux, where she established the HR function for a growing organisation, introduced HR policies and training, strengthened recruitment processes and supported workforce expansion. Her work also included skills mapping and reskilling as the organisation increased its focus on electric vehicles. Earlier in her career, she held an HR role with Facilicom Services Group Belgium and spent more than nine years as a Trade Union Officer with LBC-NVK.
Maes holds a Master’s degree in German Language and Literature from the University of Antwerp and a Postgraduate Degree in Labour Law & Social Security from UCLL University of Applied Science. At London Gatwick, her people leadership experience will support the airport’s focus on creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and proud to contribute as the organisation enters its next phase of development.
About London Gatwick
London Gatwick is the UK’s second-largest airport, providing a range of short- and long-haul point-to-point services. The airport is an important part of the UK’s national infrastructure and contributes to both regional and national economic activity.
In 2019, London Gatwick entered a long-term partnership with VINCI Airports, which acquired a 50.01% stake in the airport.
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