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Manchester Airport finally appoints new boss after weeks of travel chaos

Chris Woodroofe will start in his new role as Managing Director on 15 June.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th June 2022

Manchester Airport has officially appointed a new managing director after the previous boss stepped down from the role.

After what has been scenes of chaos for travellers over the last few months, with long delays, unplanned flight cancellations, and queues so long many were required to turn up three hours in advance and even then still miss their flights in the most unfortunate cases, the UK’s third largest airport has now confirmed that a boss has taken over.

Chris Woodroofe has been appointed managing director of Manchester Airport.

His appointment comes after former MD Karen Smart stepped down from the role amid travel chaos back in early April 2022, and she said she would be leaving her position to return to the south of England and “pursue fresh career opportunities”.

The CEO of Manchester Airport Group (MAG) said that Karen guided the Airport through “the most challenging period of its 84-year history”, and said she made “a major contribution” to MAG throughout her time with the business.

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Read more: Manchester Airport boss steps down amid another week of travel chaos

An interim MD was appointed following Karen stepping down from the role, but it’s now been announced that the position has been filled full time.

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Manchester Airport has finally appointed a new managing director after weeks of travel chaos / Credit: Manchester Airport

Chris Woodroofe was previously the chief operating officer at London Gatwick Airport from 2016-2020, where he most-notably oversaw “a major programme of operational improvements” at the Airport.

He held a number of senior roles there prior to that, including in customer service, security, and engineering.

Chris – who is originally from Widnes – will start in his new role on 15 June, and will be supported by former interim MD Ian Costigan, who will continue to oversee the airport’s operational functions.

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Speaking ahead of stepping into the new role, Chris Woodroofe said: “I look forward to working with the team to lead its recovery and drive the airport forward as the North’s global gateway [as] with the airport’s new Terminal 2 facilities and huge opportunities to attract new routes that enhance the North’s international connectivity, this really is an exciting time to be joining Manchester Airport.

Chris Woodroofe will start in his new role as MD on 15 June / Credit: Iwan Shimko (via Unsplash)

“Having taken my first ever flight from Manchester Airport as a child, I am looking forward to relocating back to the region and can’t wait to get started.”

In an open letter to passengers following Ms Smart’s departure back in April, MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish said he “cannot apologise enough for the disruption people have faced” and insisted the Airport would be “back where we need to be soon”.

Read more: Manchester Airport tells travellers to ‘take time’ – but says hundreds of new staff are on the way

“We are working as hard as we can to get there as quickly as possible,” he admitted.

Featured Image – Gatwick Media Centre

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Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.

After tens of thousands of local residents visited the “stigma-free safe spaces” to escape and take refuge from the cold back in both 2022 and 2023, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.

22 libraries across Manchester are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.

Designed to “provide support to people who need it” over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.

Manchester’s libraries are becoming ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi this winter / Credit: Flickr | Geograph

Free hot drinks, Wi-Fi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.

There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.

Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.

All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them “for as long as you like”.

“Heading towards winter, we are very much aware that the cost of living crisis still continues to affect many families across Manchester,” explained Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.

“This is why, more so than ever, we as a Council continue to do our utmost to support people who may be struggling.

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“Our participation in the Warm Welcome Spaces programme, combined with our Cost of Living support package shows we are committed entirely to helping any many people as possible during this difficult period.”

Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.

Featured Image – RawPixel

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Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returns with its biggest venue host yet for 2024

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Manchester 24 Hour Charity Run Against Homelessness 2024

November is well underway which means that not only have the likes of the annual Christmas Markets begun but Manchester is once again ramping up for the latest edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.

Although the holiday season is a jolly one for many, we’re always reminded that for lots of those less fortunate, the colder months signal an even more difficult time for lots of people all over Greater Manchester, with the region still suffering with the third highest rate of homelessness in the UK.

That being said, each year volunteers from founding organisation, Run Wild MCR (the University of Manchester’s long-standing running society), team up with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to help put in the hard yards on their behalf and raise as much money as possible.

Marking the sixth year of the heartwarming and vital fundraising event, the 2024 edition of The 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is hoping to be the most impactful yet, landing even more support from local clubs and businesses than ever, as well as their biggest host venue yet.

For anyone still unaware of the event, the annual 24-hour relay run sees thousands of runners turn up from all over the 10 boroughs to participate in 5km laps around the city centre to witness the effects of homelessness first-hand.

Those lacing up their trainers – be they from local clubs like Manchester Road Runners, charitable organisation, Northern business or just a Manc who fancies doing their bit for a good cause – can do as little or as few laps as they like, as well as contribute to the fundraising with donations on the night.

Now with national vehicle marketplace AutoTrader named as the principal sponsor for this year’s run and the Together Co. social charity pledging to match public donations up to £20,000, The Manchester 24 Hour Homeless Run is hoping to achieve its biggest goal to date.

There have already been some serious records broken in past iterations, with multiple runners even going for upwards of 100k in total distance covered and staying overnight in sleeping bags to get their laps done over the 24 hours.

Having made upwards of £30,000 since it started, amassing more than £25,000 during its fifth anniversary in 2023, and raising over £1,400 with its first spin-off event in Birmingham earlier this month, this is set to be a hugely impactful year for the team and Manchester’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme.

The growth of the event speaks for itself, with Mayor Andy Burnham now a regular attendee on behalf of his namesake charity, an increase in clubs, influencers and national coverage, not to mention the event landing Freight Island as the 2024 host venue.

You can see a quick run-through of the city centre route here:

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Having sent a huge message to the previous government regarding comments about the homeless community and directly contributing to approximately 842 rough sleepers being given a bed in Manchester during last year’s run, they’ve done incredible work in just a few short years.

With the profile of the ever-important event bigger than ever, as it looks to continue expanding into different cities – especially following the success of its debut Brummy run – we’re expecting big things and even more wholesome vibes as the crowds gather at the now well-and-truly festive Freight Island.

Members of The Manc will also be taking part and putting in as many miles as we can, so come and say hello if you can or, even better, come join the countless other volunteers going for a jog from 12pm on Wednesday, 13 November until noon the next day.

More importantly, please give even a little bit to this crucial cause HERE if you can; the charity livestream will also be active on our Facebook page throughout the duration and QR codes for direct donations will be available at Freight Island on the night.

You can see a full list of the organisations taking part down below. This really is a time when Manchester shows its best face and we can all be very proud that we’re putting in the graft to combat a global crisis.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

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