AGS Airports’ Gavin Newlands appointed to chair CBI Scotland Infrastructure Group

Gavin Newlands, head of corporate affairs at AGS Airports, has been appointed chair of the CBI Scotland Infrastructure Group, taking on a role focused on bringing businesses together to help shape infrastructure policy and support long-term economic growth.

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Newlands joined AGS Airports in October 2024 following nine years as a Member of Parliament representing Paisley and Renfrewshire North. During his time in Westminster he served as the SNP transport spokesperson and sat on the Transport Select Committee, where he was involved in scrutiny of aviation, rail, maritime and decarbonisation policy.

The appointment places an aviation representative at the centre of discussions around infrastructure priorities including transport, planning, investment and wider economic development.

According to CBI Scotland, the group is intended to support engagement with both the Scottish and UK governments and bring together expertise from a range of sectors to address barriers to investment and project delivery. Areas of focus include planning reform, transport networks and measures aimed at accelerating infrastructure development.

AGS Airports owns and operates three UK airports: Glasgow Airport, Aberdeen Airport and Southampton Airport. The group has been active in discussions around connectivity, sustainable growth and airport infrastructure investment.

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 the CBI Scotland team and the working group, to make the case for the urgent reform that businesses need.”

The appointment comes at a time when infrastructure policy is receiving increasing attention across Scotland and the UK, with governments pursuing reforms aimed at accelerating project delivery and supporting economic growth. Business groups have highlighted planning systems, skills shortages and infrastructure constraints as areas requiring action if investment ambitions are to be achieved.