Vernon Murphy

A regular contributor to Business Travel News and a man always full of charm and spirit Vernon Murphy has suddenly passed away just a few weeks before his 70th birthday and with it the celebration of a Ruby Wedding.

Vernon, was a graduate of Causis College, Cambridge, and a transport enthusiast from a very early age.  During his ‘gap’ year he worked at Swissair in Geneva Airport.  In 1966 he was the first ever BAA Plc graduate recruit.  He achieved senior management positions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports and became Managing Director of Scottish Airports.  For a long spell he was Chairman of the Airport Operators Association.

Vernon was something of a railway expert both old, The Eritrea Steam Railway (See BTN 10 May 2010), and new, HS2 (BTN 26 August 2013 COMMENT: High Speed or Fast Speed – That is the question!) and also served as Chairman of the Heathrow Express for a period.

Vernon lived at Gerards Cross, right under the Heathrow flight path, where he could also indulge his passion for cricket.  He was also a member of the RAC.

Above all, Vernon was a gentleman of the old school who will be much missed.

Our sincere condolences to his wife Joan, daughters Olivia and Juliet, sister Rosalind not forgetting doted grandson Conrad.

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