Never one to resist a challenge nor rest upon his laurels, Geordie-born Adam, Communications Director of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), is also the chair of Business Working with Wythenshawe (BW3). His varied career trajectory has garnered him many awards, ranging from The Press Gazette Student Journalist of the Year, The North East Journalist of the Year, The Investigative Reporter of the Year, The North West Business Writer of the Year and The Kate Adie Prize Winner for Initiative in Journalism. Now leading communications for the UK’s biggest airports group, he is helping businesses raise aspirations in Wythenshawe.
A Leeds University master’s graduate in European Politics, Adam, now 45, launched himself into local journalism in 2004. In his search for stories and leads, he was often aided and abetted by locals and pals who knew this was his ‘patch’. After a while, life felt cosy. Adam was quite content. But complacency is not for him, and by 2010, his need to test himself with a new venture had resurfaced. He ‘upped sticks’ to Manchester. Here, he joined the Manchester Evening News’- MEN- business team and progressed to overseeing its business news, its advanced content and its highly useful What’s On section.
By November 2015, Adam, now one of the paper’s associate editors, was approached by Manchester Airport about their newly created role of Head of External Affairs. This, within the senior leadership team, would entail overseeing the airport’s press office and its public affairs and community teams. No way would he wish to turn this down.
He adds, ’I had not been looking for a job but was hugely interested in stepping across to learn how business worked and develop new skills.’ The position evolved into that of Corporate Affairs Director, also dealing with internal communications and customer feedback.
Adam is a man gifted with an innate understanding of and interest in people underpinned by a sharp intellect, a social conscience and good listening skills. He possesses a genuine desire to effect change for the good- locally, regionally, and at as many social levels as possible. Therefore, Adam derives both personal and professional satisfaction from MAG’s long-standing commitment to supporting surrounding communities. This brief may well be mandatory, but to him, it offers an utterly pleasurable responsibility and commitment to the local communities. And in the case of Manchester, one of the main beneficiaries is nearby Wythenshawe.
He recalls, ‘Within my initial remit for Manchester Airport was the running of its Community Social Responsibility Programme (CSR). As were other aspects of the job, this was entirely new to me, but in fact proved more exciting than daunting! I’d never built a political influencing campaign or run a school or community programme before.’
Manchester Airport Groups- MAG- is the UK’s largest airport group. Collectively, it owns and operates three UK airports – Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands – alongside its digital travel services business, CAVU. In 2024 alone, MAG served 61.3 million passengers, operated 58 airlines flying to 261 destinations and contributed £10.6 billion to the UK economy!
Adam continues, “Looking at our community programme in particular, it is exciting to know we are inspiring so many young people about careers in aviation and supporting local organisations with Trust Fund grants. Our amazing team are out and about in local communities delivering great work every day, and I am justly proud to be one of many MAG colleagues who volunteer to enhance what MAG does.”
Adam is also chair of the 2002-founded Business Working with Wythenshawe (BW3). It aims to build on the strengths of the local area, galvanising volunteer time, raising funds and providing resources to inspire and support positive change.
The dynamic Adam supervises and works in partnership with BW3’s 250 business members, local education providers and volunteers from firms in the area. They are encouraged to contribute to and co-operate in delivering innovative programmes, varied activities and events for people of all ages in and around Wythenshawe.
Amongst the most satisfying experiences for recipients and volunteers alike is BW3’s reading mentoring scheme, delivered regularly to help improve poor literacy locally. Any amelioration, however small or great, is significant in increasing confidence in individuals of any age with a literacy problem. From teenagers and nervy schoolchildren to adults who, for whatever reason, lost out in their youth and now wish to rectify their situation, learning to read or just improving their skills can hold the key to success and open doors.
As the inimitable Adam sums up, ’Giving up your time to support someone else can feel like something you don’t have time for. But never underestimate just how much of a difference you can make to that person’s life and how much you personally can get out of it, too.’
To get involved with BW3, visit www.bw3.org.uk.
By Fay Wertheimer
