Procurement and the pandemic Doherty speaks on the transformational challenges – caused in part by the pandemic – that Heathrow have undergone while continuously modernising and embracing new security technologies . “ Our new security solution means you won ' t have to take your laptop out of your bag ,” he says . “ You can go through security and just put your bags through a scanner . It ’ s a much less intrusive journey .”
“ We talk about a frictionless passenger journey , and it ' s just like a good doctor in the NHS : when you need us , we ' re there .”
Doherty ’ s route to being Director of Procurement started in a very different , but also incredibly demanding form of transport .
He worked in operations at the London Underground for seven years , but says he always found getting into the capital space appealing and , ultimately , took on a more junior role at Heathrow to expand his personal skill-set . From there , he progressed through different projects , including the airport ' s role in hosting London 2012 Olympics arrivals , baggage categories , heading up terminals and , when the pandemic arrived , closing down aspects of the capital portfolio before moving into the operational environment to focus on cost reductions and supplier management .
“ We did that as caringly and as responsibly as we could with our capital supply chain partners , many of whom are still with us and working . Following that , I went over
32 January 2023