Emma Gilthorpe
Chief Transformation Officer, Turner & Townsend; Non-Exec Director, Manchester Airports Group
Emma joined Turner & Townsend in May 2025 as Chief Transformation Officer. She is responsible for transforming the company's global corporate centre, ensuring the business is equipped for future growth and developing scalable capabilities that support world-class programme management delivery.
With more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning major programme delivery, operations, strategy and business transformation, Emma has held a number of senior roles in critical national infrastructure businesses. Prior to joining Turner & Townsend, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Royal Mail, leading the business back to profitability through a data-led approach to commercial strategy and customer service.
Before Royal Mail, Emma spent more than a decade at Heathrow Airport in a series of executive roles covering strategy, regulation, sustainability, planning and capital project delivery. Appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2020, she led the airport through the pandemic and subsequent recovery, rapidly reducing then scaling operations to meet a fourfold increase in passenger demand while improving service, performance and resilience.
Emma is recognised for her ability to transform large, complex organisations by combining deep operational expertise with strategic vision and execution.
She is also a Non-Executive Director of Manchester Airports Group.
