“Respected” Airport Director gifted plane propeller coat-stand on final day

Friday 14 December 2018

A propeller from a plane and tarmac from the airport runway were among the quirky gifts given as thanks to the outgoing Airport Director for his 44 years of service as he completed his final day yesterday.

Stephen Driscoll joined Jersey Airport in 1974 as an electrician and worked his way up to become Chief Operating Officer and Airport Director in 2012.

Over those four decades, Mr Driscoll took operational lead for many events and incidents, which were yesterday celebrated through a number of novel gifts.

Pictured: Mr Driscoll has spent 44 years working at Jersey Airport.

One of those was a blade from the turboprop engine of a Blue Islands’ ATR 42 plane whose landing gear collapsed at Jersey Airport in June 2012, which the engineering department turned into a coat stand.

He was also gifted a several tarmac samples taken from the runway over the years and decades-old photos of himself at work.

However, his main present, Ports of Jersey said, was a large telescope “so that even in his retirement he can still keep an eye on us from his nearby home in St Peter”.

Pictured: Mr Driscoll's successor, Inez Bartolo.

Paying tribute to Mr Driscoll, a spokesperson said: “Stephen has played a significant role at the airport for many years, well respected and liked by his colleagues and business partners.

“We wish him and his wife Nina a very happy retirement and send him on his way with gratitude and affection for the significant contribution he has made to our business over the years.” 

The gifting took place during a staff function, which also marked the end of Ports of Jersey CEO Doug Bannister’s time in the role.

Pictured: Outgoing Ports of Jersey CEO Doug Bannister and his interim successor, Alan Merry.

He announced in September that he would be stepping down after seven years to return to the UK where he’ll take the helm of the Port of Dover.

His interim successor was announced this morning as Alan Merry, Ports of Jersey's current Strategic and Development Director, who has worked in the organisation since 2012.

"It is a great shame for both Ports of Jersey and the Island that Doug is moving on but we all understand why he has made the decision to return to the UK. However, the business is well positioned to continue to grow and develop and I am looking forward to taking on this exciting leadership role and to working with the team over the next few months," Mr Merry commented.

Meanwhile, Mr Driscoll will be replaced by Inez Bartolo, who has worked as an Aerodrome Inspector at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for nearly 30 years.