Richard Matthews

Richard Matthews (Company Secretary) – Summary Profile

Richard Matthews (MBA, MRICS, Dip.M, MCIM) is a commercial/infrastructure management professional.  His career started as a Chartered Surveyor in the City of London where he worked in the property development sector for 7 years.  After his MBA at City Cass university in London and for the past 17 years, he has utilised his skills to enhance his airport and aviation development expertise.  He has experience in international & European acquisitions, government regulated airport bids, seeking out and forming consortiums with local partners, project funding, development of detailed aviation business plans and the operational understanding to facilitate the implementation of recommendations. He was the lead professional on behalf for various acquisitions, negotiations with government & aviation authorities, creating full business plans, 20 yr commercial and financial models, operational and capex requirements,  supervising legal negotiations, through to financial close.  In addition, he has been responsible for the day to day commercialisation and business development, including property development activities, in order to undertake the business plans created.  More recently he has used his skills to advise regional Governments looking at the viability of small to medium sized regional airports as well as major Airport operators and financial institutions looking at acquisition.  He is part of the advisory team for the UK Regional Airports group which includes 10 UK regional airports.

Relevant Areas of Airport Expertise

  • Financial and commercial planning, business modelling and viability modelling.
  • Route development, commercial / financial management, setting and controlling budgets.
  • Commercial & market analytical skills, outlining clear recommendations, then where appropriate helping to manage and/or carrying out proposals.
  • Fundamental understanding of airport acquisition process from start to completion.
  • Project management for business planning and capex requirements.
  • Introducing potential funding partners where necessary
  • Negotiating contracts –  Government and private sector and commercial opportunities including property.
  • Property development, management, leasing, contracts.  Peripheral commercial airport development.