Sydney Airport names Scott Charlton as its new chief executive officer

Transurban chief Scott Charlton will replace Geoff Culbert as Sydney Airport boss from December.

Culbert announced he would retire after six years at the helm of Australia’s biggest airport in May. Sydney Airport’s board announced Charlton’s appointment on Wednesday morning.

Sydney Airport chair David Gonksi said Charlton’s 11-year tenure at Transurban, and former role as chief operating officer of Lendlease put him in good stead to lead the airport business.

“Strong brings strong commercial, operational and project delivery experience, along with a deep understanding of government and the Australian regulatory environment,” Gonski said.

Charlton said he was looking forward to his new role.

“Sydney Airport is the gateway to Australia, the economic heart of NSW and an iconic global infrastructure asset,” he said.

Culbert will continue in his role until handing over the reins to Charlton in December. Culbert oversaw the restructure of the airport during the COVID-19 pandemic, managed one of the biggest privatisations of a public company in Australian history, and led the business through its passenger recovery after the end of pandemic restrictions.

Culbert has said publicly he will take six months off after stepping down from the airport but has not ruled out committing to a new executive role in the future.