Stewart Wingate, managing director of three of the UK’s largest airports including Gatwick, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Public Administration by the University of Chichester.
Mr Wingate, one of the UK’s most distinguished business leaders, was recognised for his leadership of Gatwick, as well as shaping the future of UK aviation. He said he was delighted to receive the award from ‘the local university to Gatwick Airport’, and praised graduates for their hard work in achieving their degrees.
He said: “It was a very pleasant surprise when I received news of the award. I have worked in West Sussex for nearly 20 years and it is great to be recognised by the University of Chichester. I am acutely aware that I am only being recognised because of the considerable efforts of all of the people who have worked in my teams and supported me for many years.
“I am very much a people person. I have greatly enjoyed supporting people across all of the businesses that I have led. I am particularly proud of the high potential colleagues that I have worked with who have gone to lead major businesses in their own right.”
Mr Wingate started his career as an apprentice and a graduate in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Northumbria University. He also holds an MBA from Newcastle University, and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of both the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
After senior roles at Glasgow, Stansted and Budapest Airports, Mr Wingate became Chief Executive Officer of Gatwick Airport in 2009. Over the following years, he led the transformation of the UK’s second-busiest airport, overseeing more than £2 billion of investment, expanding global connectivity and helping Gatwick strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading airports. Under his leadership, the airport embraced innovation, enhanced the passenger experience and made significant commitments to sustainability, including a pledge for airport operations to achieve net zero by 2030.
In 2025, Stewart was appointed Managing Director of UK Airports, taking responsibility for London Gatwick, Edinburgh Airport and Belfast International Airport. In this role, he continues to influence the strategic direction of three major transport hubs that connect millions of people and support economic growth across the United Kingdom.
On advice he’d give to graduates, he said: “Work hard and play hard. Make the most of the opportunities that become available to you and take calculated risks. Treat others in a way you would like to be treated. Be ambitious and be demanding of your team and always say thank you for a job well done.”