Gavin Newlands to chair CBI Scotland Infrastructure group

With removing barriers to economic growth a critical priority for Scottish business following the Scottish Parliament election, CBI Scotland has appointed senior Glasgow and Aberdeen airport executive Gavin Newlands to chair its Infrastructure Working Group.

The Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at AGS, which also owns Southampton Airport, Mr Newlands will lead a group of CBI Scotland members in businesses working with policymakers to deliver major infrastructure projects and tackle planning delays.

The appointment follows the First Minister’s keynote speech to the CBI Scotland Annual Lunch in May. In John Swinney’s first public address since his re-appointment to the role, the First Minister told 300 business leaders gathered at the event that his government will prioritise planning reform to drive economic growth.

Michelle Ferguson OBE, Director, CBI Scotland, said:

“Gavin’s experience and strategic acumen as a senior leader with responsibility for three of the UK’s major international airports makes him the perfect person to build on the group’s important work. He will make a major contribution in driving forward our work to remove the barriers to infrastructure, and other, projects that will drive Scotland’s economy over the next decade.  We are pressing the new Scottish Government to use every lever at its disposal – including reform of planning - to boost productivity and unlock vital investment.

“Delivering faster and more effectively on grid upgrades, transport, housing, planning and strategic energy projects is essential to unlocking private investment and turning Scotland's potential into delivery of economic growth. Over the coming weeks and months our members will work closely with Gavin in a policy area that is of utmost importance to Scotland’s growth story.”

Gavin Newlands, Chair of the CBI Scotland Infrastructure Working Group, said:

“Scotland's infrastructure is critical to the country's competitiveness, and I am proud to be taking on this role at such an important time. Planning reform will be an early focus – the system should be a national growth enabler, not a barrier to investment. Every month of crucial projects being held up costs jobs and investment that Scotland cannot afford. I look forward to working with Michelle, the CBI Scotland team, and the working group, to make the case for the urgent reform that businesses need.”

About Gavin Newlands: The 46-year-old was appointed AGS Airports Executive Director of Corporate Affairs in 2026, having joined the company in October 2024 to lead it’s governmental, parliamentary and sectoral engagement. Mr Newlands had spent the previous nine years as the SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, the constituency that includes Glasgow Airport, following a career in business management. A former transport spokesperson, Gavin played a central role in parliamentary scrutiny of UK aviation, rail and maritime policy and was a leading advocate for transport decarbonisation.

His work at Westminster had a particular focus on aviation decarbonisation, including sustainable aviation fuel, airspace modernisation and the development of zero emission flight. He also held spokesperson roles for Northern Ireland, Wales and sport, served on the Justice and Transport Select Committees, contributed to legislative debate and chaired several all‑party parliamentary groups. Gavin also holds roles on the CBI Scotland and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce councils.

CBI Scotland Infrastructure Working Group membership (July 2026): Weber Shandwick, BT Openreach, Centrica, Nabarro and Olswang, Scottish Leather Group, XLCC, Avison Young, Homes for Scotland, AtkinsRealis, Prestwick AeroSystems, AGS Airports, Brockwell Energy, Shell, Addleshaw Goddard, Forth Ports, SSE, BAE Systems, NatWest Group, KPMG, Diageo, Drax Group, PwC, ScottishPower, Scottish Renewables, Accenture, Peak International Group.