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The UK Civil Aviation Authority has announced that Richard Moriarty, its Chief Executive Officer, is to step down from the role in Spring 2023.

Richard has worked for the organisation for more than ten years, in senior roles including Director of Competition and Economic Regulation, Director of Consumers and Markets, Deputy Chief Executive and latterly as Chief Executive for the last five years.

Commenting, Richard Moriarty said:

“At the end of this financial year I will have served the Civil Aviation Authority for over ten years and I have decided that at this time it will be right for me to step down and start the next chapter of my career.

"The Civil Aviation Authority is a truly unique organisation that achieves amazing things, and I am confident it will continue to do so given the strength of talent and leadership within the organisation and the commitment of its people. I intend to take up a new role in the private sector and I also intend to deepen my contribution to the social housing and the charity sectors.”

Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Richard for his outstanding leadership, hard work and dedication to both the Civil Aviation Authority and to aerospace through one of the most challenging times in our recent history.

"Richard will leave a tremendous legacy at the Civil Aviation Authority, not only in the strong values which guide everything that we do, but also his commitment to making aviation, aerospace and the Civil Aviation Authority the very best that they can be.

"We will shortly begin the process of identifying Richard’s successor, whilst ensuring that we maintain continuity in the delivery of the Civil Aviation Authority’s vital role throughout the transition period and beyond.”

Dame Bernadette Kelly, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Transport added:

“Richard has steered the Civil Aviation Authority through some of its biggest challenges of recent years, including the pandemic and the largest peacetime repatriation effort in British history following the collapse of Thomas Cook.

“His leadership has been critical as the Civil Aviation Authority has continued its vital work of supporting British aviation and ensuring we have the highest safety, security and consumer standards.

“On behalf of the Government, I thank Richard for his service both as CEO and over the past decade, and I wish him all the best in his next endeavours.”

For further details contact:

Andrew McConnell, Communications Department - 0333 103 6000

Alex Kaufman, Communications Department - 0333 103 6000

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