New Prestwick finance chief steps down after two weeks

The new finance director of taxpayer-owned Prestwick Airport has quit just weeks after taking up his post.

Brian Sutherland, a chartered accountant, was appointed in September with plans to take up the role from December 7.

However the airport has now said Mr Sutherland has resigned from the post because of “personal circumstances”.

The airport was saved from closure in 2013 when the Scottish Government bought it for £1 and Mr Sutherland’s appointment in September was seen as pivotal component of a management overhaul after chief executive Iain Cochrane and chief commercial officer Graeme Sweenie stepped down from their posts.

Mr Sutherland, who was born and raised in Ayrshire, joined the airport from international packaging business Multi Packaging Solutions where he was finance and commercial director.

He had previously held senior positions at Warburtons, Asda and Chivas Glenlivet and took over from previous chief financial officer, Grant McLeod.

Prestwick airport’s interim chief executive, Richard Jenner, who said he was confident a new finance director would be in place soon, explained: “We have accepted Brian’s resignation with immediate effect. It is a priority for us to have the right person in this pivotal post. Brian was an excellent candidate, selected from a strong field, and it is unfortunate that circumstances have changed.

“This was undoubtedly an extremely hard decision for Brian and we sincerely wish him well for the future.”