NOVEMBER BRINGS A NEW CHAIR FOR CISHA
The Council for the Independent Scrutiny of Heathrow Airport (CISHA) announced the appointment of Tracey Waltho as their next Chair.
Tracey took up her two year appointment on 1st November. Tracey’s selection is the result of an extensive and competitive recruitment process which took place over the summer and saw a number of well qualified candidates apply.
Short-listing and final interview panels were drawn from a wide cross-section of Heathrow Airport stakeholders and communities, with candidates judged against a set of exacting criteria.
Mark Izatt, Deputy Chair of CISHA who chaired the appointment process, said:
“Just over two years since our creation, CISHA is now firmly established as a body which scrutinises, coordinates, and helps give a voice to the many communities and stakeholders who engage with Heathrow Airport. Identifying a new chair who is able to both continue our momentum and bring new focus to our activities has been a key priority over the summer and we are delighted to have appointed Tracey. Not only does she bring a wealth of experience which will be vital in the months and years ahead, but she has an ability to build trust and consensus. We are very much looking forward to her leadership.”
Becky Coffin, Director of Communities and Sustainability at Heathrow, said:
“Tracey brings a unique and necessary set of skills to this vital role. CISHA has made strong progress in advancing a more joined up approach to engagement and Tracey’s experience and energy will take that forward at pace. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with Tracey and CISHA.”
Commenting on her appointment, Tracey said:
“I am both excited and honoured to be taking on this new role. Transport is a topic which has run through my career as has community and planning. I understand how important honest, trusted and transparent engagement is and, whilst sometimes we will never all agree we can ensure voices are heard and outcomes optimised. It will be my responsibility on behalf of CISHA and everyone it represents to ensure those voices are heard, productive discussions take place and that we deliver open and honest engagement and feedback to Heathrow, the CAA, and the Government. I’m looking forward to working closely with the forum chairs, local authorities, communities and building relationships with stakeholders in and around Heathrow.”
CISHA is an independently chaired body constituted to provide the functions of an airport consultative committee for Heathrow Airport (in accordance with Section 35 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982) and the functions of the Heathrow Airport community engagement board. The purpose of CISHA is to ensure independent oversight of the way Heathrow engages with stakeholders, fully integrated with Heathrow’s wider community forum structure, and provide a transparent mediation process for constructive and effective engagement with the airport. (
About Tracey Waltho
An accomplished public and third sector leader Tracey brings strong leadership and oversight skills with focus on putting people and data at the heart of decision making. An influential communicator and collaborator.
Her most recent / current roles are;
• Non-Executive Director, Information Commissioner’s Office 2022 – present day.
• Executive Director of Strategy & Transformation, Citizens Advice 2022 – 2024.
• Director General Housing & Planning, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities 2020 – 2022, where she led the Covid response to Covid including the ‘Everyone In’ response to protect Rough Sleepers.
• Director General, Civil Service, Cabinet Office. 2017 – 2020 where her responsibilities included building greater collaboration across Government.
Her experience also includes Director of Strategy and Chief Economist at the Department for Transport, and Head of Transport at West Sussex County Council.