Dubai Airports has appointed its fi rst chief executive offi cer as a key part of the strategy to develop its airports as a separate commercial business, following the restructuring of the erstwhile Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Paul Griffi ths, former managing director of BAA’s London Gatwick Airport, will take up the role on 1 October this year. Griffi ths, 49, brings to the role signifi cant commercial experience in the aviation and transport sector.

Prior to joining BAA in 2004, he spent 14 years as an executive director of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, where he was responsible for the commercial development of British long-haul airline Virgin Atlantic, before moving to a similar role at the Virgin Rail Group.