Heathrow the engine of global Britain
Heathrow Airport (LHR) functions as critical national infrastructure and the UK’s gateway to growth, central to macroeconomic performance and global economic integration. Its unique hub status is indispensable, allowing it to pool passenger and cargo demand to maintain long-haul routes that would otherwise be commercially unviable.
The airport’s most significant role is as the UK's largest port by value, enables it to facilitate 70% of all UK cargo by value. This capability is crucial for time-sensitive, high-cost sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
Heathrow’s supply chain partners play a vital role keeping the airport running, ensuring the airport can serve over 83 million passengers a year. In 2024, Heathrow invested £1.1bn with 1,100 business in its direct supply chain, supporting over 16,400 jobs across the country. 60% of Heathrow’s supply chain are SMEs, representing the very best of UK innovation and enterprise.
Heathrow has now submitted its third runway proposal to Government. Join IoD Chief Economist, Anna Leach and Heathrow Airport Retail Director, Fraser Brown for this one-hour session where we’ll examine the economic value of Heathrow Airport, including its retail and trade offering, its capacity limits and the opportunities that’ll be created through an expanded Heathrow.
Speakers
Anna Leach
Anna is a macroeconomics and policy professional, and was most recently Deputy Chief Economist at the CBI. She brings a wealth of experience in macroeconomic and business survey analysis, as well as policy analysis and strategic planning. Anna previously worked in the Government Economic Service in various roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury.
Fraser Brown
Fraser became Retail Director at Heathrow on 1st November 2018 and, in December 2020, took on the Property Portfolio for 2 years. Previously he spent over 4 years at Heathrow Express as Managing Director and formerly Commercial Director. Prior to this, he worked at Gatwick Airport as Head of Travel Services before moving across London to Heathrow. His roles at the UK’s busiest airport have included Head of Travel Services and Managing Director of Ultra Global PRT. Fraser worked for the first 10 years of his career in various commercial roles at ExxonMobil in the UK, Belgium, and Spain.
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