As well as an impressive CV, Mike Clasper has a refreshingly honest, down-to-earth personality and a steely determination to succeed which will no doubt serve him well in the years ahead as BAA strives to raise the capacity of its UK airports. By Claper's own admission, he is new to the aviation industry, but he has been well groomed by predecessor Mike Hodgkinson, from whom he inherits a steady ship despite today's rocky waters. Clasper's bold declaration that BAA would like to see up to three new runways at its London airports - made a month before his official appointment - also shows that he is not afraid of straight talking or out to win any popularity contest. His comments, made as the UK Government dithers over whether to increase runway capacity in the South East, met with a wave of criticism from residents' action groups and anti-noise protestors, leading one national newspaper to label him Public Enemy Number One. His philosophical response - "You can't please all the people all the time." He also warns: "If we don't act now to avoid a capacity shortfall in the South East, the UK economy will be regretting the decision in 40 years' time." Reality bites.
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