On 9th February, Founder of the Arora Group announced that he will switch roles from CEO to serve as the executive chairman of the company. Surinder Arora highlighted he wanted to focus on growing the business and developing the group’s Heathrow West new terminal proposal. Cardiff-based Steve Pateman who joins from the privately-owned Hodge Bank, where he is currently chief executive is expected to be the new CEO. Pateman has previously held leadership roles with Shawbrook Bank, Santander and Royal Bank of Scotland. He also serves as currently an advisor to the group’s board.
The Heathrow West Proposal would see the Arora Group build a new terminal at the airport to support the third runway. This terminal which is expected to handle 40m passenger inflow a year would compete with the airport’s existing terminals, which are owned by a clutch of international investors that include Spain’s Ferrovial. This terminal would also support the additional 260,000 air transport movements that could be made possible by way of a third runway.
In 2018, Arora group had claimed that its plans would cost significantly less than Heathrow Airport Limited’s own proposal and open the door for increased competition on the facilities needed to support passenger growth. Now 2020 is a “critical year for the provision of a new terminal” after the go-ahead given by prime minister Boris Johnson. In a statement to the BTN Group Surinder Arora said,
“I have known Steve both professionally and personally for many years and I am delighted to welcome him to the Arora Group. Steve brings a unique knowledge of both our organisation and the world of banking and I am confident that these skills will supercharge our growth over the coming years. He is the perfect captain to lead the Arora Group to the next stage of its ambitious growth plans.
“Additionally, having Steve at the helm allows me to concentrate on other opportunities, including the Heathrow West airport expansion project, which has the potential to be the UK’s most exciting new infrastructure and development project.”
