Our team

We’re a small, friendly team, running a busy commercial Airport, in one of the UK’s most beautiful corners.

About our team

At Cornwall Airport Newquay, our people are our biggest asset. From the ground operations to the skies above, it’s the passion, expertise, and dedication of our team that keeps everything running smoothly. Whether they’re behind the scenes or front and centre, each member brings something unique to the table, creating a dynamic and supportive workplace where everyone plays a vital role.

We believe that what makes our airport special isn’t just the planes that come and go – it’s the people who make it all happen. With a blend of professionalism, experience, and the occasional laugh, our team is committed to making Cornwall Airport Newquay a place we can all be proud of.

So, get to know the faces behind the scenes. We promise, they’re just as entertaining as they are hardworking!

Two individuals wearing yellow jackets are positioned on an airport runway, surrounded by open space and aircraft.

Leadership & management

A professional woman in a suit stands confidently in front of an airport control tower.

Sam O’Dwyer

Managing Director

Cornwall Airport Newquay is led by Sam O’Dwyer who joined as Managing Director in 2022.

The strategic objectives of the business as set by the Board and shareholders and are currently as follows;

  • The adoption of a revised business strategy which will focus on diversifying the business in to other aviation market sectors
  • Route development and maintenance of the existing route network
  • Marketing of airport asset to potential tenants
  • Improved customer experience
  • New Company vision, values and culture
  • Continual change and improvement in efficiency
  • Maintained safety and security awareness
  • Raise regional awareness and install pride in the airport as a strategic asset
Cornwall Council logo

Cornwall Council

Owner of Cornwall Airport Newquay

Cornwall Airport Newquay is owned by Cornwall Council and managed by Cornwall Airport Limited (CAL), a Private Limited Company, wholly owned by Cornwall Council.

Meet the team

cornwall airport our team profile image Amy Smith

Amy Smith

Managing Director (Interim)

Meet our no-nonsense Amy. She’s the driving force behind Cornwall Airport Newquay’s route development and revenue growth—whether it’s in the air or on the ground, Amy will find a way. Some might say she’s loud and opinionated (and they’d be right), but when you need things done yesterday, Amy’s exactly who you want on your side. Never one to sit still, she’s decisive, driven and always three steps ahead. Do not approach without coffee in the morning.

cornwall airport our team profile image Andrew Boomer

Andrew Boomer

Operations Director

Originally hailing from Northern Ireland, Andrew is quite the character around here. As our Operations Director, he keeps everything running like clockwork – when he’s not busy starring in the Marketing Team’s latest TikTok, that is. Always professional, yet full of humour, Andrew is the go-to guy when we need a helping hand or a quick laugh. He’s also very proud of holding the Aerodrome licence (trust us, you’ll hear about it more than once).

cornwall airport our team profile image Jo Cresswell

Jo Cresswell

People Partner

Jo Cresswell is our People Partner, and while writing bios for HR might make us a little nervous, Jo is anything but. With her expert guidance and support, she’s the one who makes sure everyone at Cornwall Airport Newquay is thriving – whether it’s through handling all things HR or just being the person, we can count on to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Jo keeps our people happy, engaged, and (most importantly) on the right track – so we’ll try not to say anything that might get us in trouble!

cornwall airport our team profile image Steve

Steve Gardner

Spaceport & Aerodrome Operations Manager

Having never quite fulfilled his dream of becoming a world-famous archaeologist, Steve instead joined Cornwall Airport Newquay from the RAF in 2009 (after working on the aerodrome since the Middle Ages). His grand welcome from the Airport MD at the time? “I don’t know what I want you to do, I just know that I want you to do it.” And thus, Steve became our unofficial “Stuff Manager,” with his hands in everything from aircraft turnarounds to construction projects—and everything in between.

Known for his terrible memory for names and his remarkable ability not to take leave and give us a break, Steve somehow managed to get promoted to Spaceport & Aerodrome Operations Manager in 2022, where he was swiftly banished to the south side of the airport. We haven’t seen him since…

Louis

Louis Gardner

Head of Future Air and Space
cornwall airport our team profile image Charles

Charles Dixon

Senior Airport Fire Officer

Charles has been keeping Cornwall Airport Newquay safe for 16 years and counting, heading up our Rescue and Fire Fighting Service. When he’s not leading the team through drills and emergency responses, he’ll probably be at home doing his finest Pat Sharpe impression mixing old school records on the one’s and two’s. With his years of experience and calm under pressure, Charles is the person you want in charge when things heat up—literally!

cornwall airport our team profile image Tom

Tom Leckie

Senior Air Traffic Controller

Despite the name, Tom isn’t our resident electrician (though he gets asked a lot!). As Senior Air Traffic Controller, Tom brings 14 years of experience to the tower, ensuring safe skies over Cornwall and beyond. With his expert team at his side, you can rest easy knowing Tom’s got everything under control – no rewiring necessary.

cornwall airport our team profile image Kelly Jones

Kelly Jones

Ground Operations Manager

Meet Kelly, our always-on-the-go Ground Operations Manager (occasionally a little late, but with good reason). With a background in cabin crew dating back to 2003, she knows NQY inside and out, heading up Passenger Services, Airside Ops, and our in-house Training and Compliance Team – all while juggling family life.

Kelly is the definition of a boss lady, passionate about mental health and making sure her team feels heard. Look out for her backpack – she’s basically our very own “Where’s Kelly (Wally)?” And when she’s not keeping things running, you’ll find her on the dance floor busting out the caterpillar.

cornwall airport our team profile image Nerissa

Nerissa Marx

Security Manager

With nearly 20 years under her #TeamNQY belt, Nerissa is nothing short of a legend at Cornwall Airport Newquay. As Security Manager, she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table – along with an absolutely savage sense of humour that has the team in stitches every single day. Currently leading the charge on the Next Generation Security Upgrade Project, Nerissa manages to keep everything running smoothly while making sure no one ever has a dull moment. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking her jokes are as soft as her security measures – her eyes are quite literally everywhere…

cornwall airport our team profile image Dean

Dean McAllister

Senior Airfield Engineer

Dean landed at NQY with a solid RAF background and a knack for keeping things running smoothly—usually while holding a cup of tea. As the head of our air traffic engineers, Dean’s calm expertise quickly became the backbone of operations. Whether it’s troubleshooting a system, solving problems no one else can, or lending a hand way outside his remit, Dean’s always got a solution (and probably a brew to share).

Basically, if something’s broken – or you just need a chat – Dean’s your guy, and we’re all grateful for it.

team ross hulbert

Ross Hulbert

Head of Engagement - Spaceport Cornwall

As the Head of Engagement for Spaceport Cornwall, Ross is the guy responsible for launching (pun intended) new business opportunities and partnerships for the UK’s first licensed Spaceport. He’s often found representing Spaceport in the global media – though you might hear him called Rob, Russ, or Rory, much to the amusement of the team. Whatever name they use, Ross is always out there making big moves for Cornwall’s place in the Space Race.

cornwall airport our team profile image Josie

Josie Hutt

Marketing Manager

Fresh out of university and wanting to get a foot in the door, Josie joined the team back in 2006 as PA to the MD, witnessing the thrilling transition from military to civilian operations in 2007/8—talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Just when we thought we got rid of her she came back 11 years later, after a quick detour to British Airways. It’s like NQY has some magical pull—maybe it’s the smell of our pasties or the thrill of a good boarding call?

Now, as head of the marketing department, Josie juggles all things creative, all whilst crafting the next big campaign. She’s on a mission to spread the message of #TogetherWeCAN, often while multitasking as the unofficial airport photographer. Josie proves that chaos and creativity go hand in hand – and that her love for aviation is truly airborne… along with her collection of questionable selfies…

cornwall airport our team profile image Rebecca

Rebecca Marks

Commercial Manager

As the newest member of our management team, Rebecca joins us with a wealth of experience – and we’re all crossing our fingers that we don’t scare her off! With her impressive background, she’s ready to dive into the world of commercial operations at Cornwall Airport Newquay and make her mark (pun intended).
Rebecca is here to help us reach new heights, and we can’t wait to see what fresh ideas and insights she brings to the table.

Anna Pearce 1

Anna Pearce

Sustainability Lead

As the latest addition to our team, Anna brings boundless energy—both in and out of the office! A dedicated ultramarathon runner, she’s always on the lookout for her next challenge, whether that’s tackling a new trail on her travels or catching the perfect wave. Her passion for sustainability and the environment ties in perfectly with her love for the outdoors, whether she’s out running, surfing, or finding new ways to make a difference. With her adventurous spirit and fresh perspective, Anna is set to go the distance—on land and in the skies!

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