Lois Larson
Gatwick Airport, London's second-largest airport, is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm chaired by Adebayo Bayo Ogunlesi. GIP acquired a majority stake in the airport in 2009 for £1.455 billion. Ogunlesi, a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker, is also GIP's managing partner. The Nigerian press has nicknamed him The Man Who Bought Gatwick Airport.
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What You'll Learn
- Gatwick Airport was acquired by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in 2009
- Nigerian Adebayo Bayo Ogunlesi is chairman and managing partner at GIP
- Ogunlesi is a lawyer and investment banker
- Ogunlesi is a former head of global investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston
- GIP also owns Edinburgh Airport and London City Airport
Gatwick Airport was acquired by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in 2009
Prior to founding GIP, Ogunlesi worked at Credit Suisse First Boston, where he held several senior positions, including head of global investment banking, chief client officer, and executive vice chairman. He also served as a member of Credit Suisse's Executive Board and Management Committee. Ogunlesi's career began as a law clerk to associate justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court, after which he joined the New York City law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. He later transitioned into investment banking, joining First Boston as an advisor on a Nigerian gas project.
GIP's acquisition of Gatwick Airport was not its first venture into airport ownership. In 2006, the firm purchased London City Airport. GIP has since expanded its airport portfolio, acquiring Edinburgh Airport in 2012 and Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori in 2018. In addition to its airport holdings, GIP also has interests in other infrastructure sectors.
The Nigerian press has given Adebayo Ogunlesi the nickname "The Man Who Bought Gatwick Airport." This acquisition further solidified his reputation as a prominent figure in the world of global infrastructure investment.
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Nigerian Adebayo Bayo Ogunlesi is chairman and managing partner at GIP
Nigerian Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi is a lawyer and investment banker. Born in 1953, he is the son of Theophilus O. Ogunlesi, the first Nigerian professor of medicine at the University of Ibadan. Ogunlesi attended King's College, Lagos, and later received a B.A. with first-class honours in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University. He then obtained a JD-MBA from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School.
Ogunlesi began his career in 1983 at the investment bank First Boston, advising on a Nigerian gas project. He worked in the Project Finance Group, managing transactions and financings worldwide. In 2002, he became the Global Head of the Investment Banking Division at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB). During his time at CSFB, he also served as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Client Officer.
In 2006, Ogunlesi co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm based in New York. GIP has made significant acquisitions, including London City Airport in 2006 and a majority stake in London Gatwick Airport in 2009. GIP also owns Edinburgh Airport and has interests in various sectors such as energy, transport, and digital infrastructure. Ogunlesi served as the CEO of GIP and led the company's sale to BlackRock in 2024 for $12.5 billion.
Ogunlesi has received recognition for his achievements, including being named one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019. He has also been appointed to the board of directors of prominent financial institutions, including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse. With a net worth estimated at US$2.4 billion, Ogunlesi has made a significant impact in the world of finance and investment, both in Nigeria and internationally.
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Ogunlesi is a lawyer and investment banker
The owner of Gatwick Airport is Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi, a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker. Ogunlesi is currently the chairman and managing partner at the private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). He started GIP in 2006, and the company went on to purchase London City Airport in the same year. In 2009, GIP acquired a majority stake in London Gatwick Airport, with a deal worth £1.455 billion. The Nigerian press nicknamed him "The Man Who Bought Gatwick Airport."
Ogunlesi's career in law and investment banking began with a prestigious educational background. He received a B.A. with first-class honours in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University. He then obtained a JD-MBA from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School in 1979. During his time at Harvard, he was on the Harvard Law Review, demonstrating his academic excellence.
After completing his studies, Ogunlesi's career took off. From 1980 to 1981, he served as a law clerk to Associate Justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court. He then joined the prestigious New York City law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore as an attorney in their corporate practice group. In 1983, Ogunlesi transitioned into the world of investment banking when he joined First Boston, advising on a Nigerian gas project. He quickly rose through the ranks and worked on transactions across the globe, including in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Ogunlesi's expertise in finance and investment banking was further recognised when he became the Head of the Global Energy Group at Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) in 1997. In 2002, he reached new heights as he was appointed Global Head of CSFB's Investment Banking Division. He also served on Credit Suisse's Executive Board and Management Committee during this time. With a successful career in investment banking, Ogunlesi ventured into private equity and founded GIP in 2006. Through GIP, he has made significant investments in the aviation industry, including the acquisition of London Gatwick Airport.
Throughout his career, Ogunlesi has demonstrated exceptional legal and financial expertise. His background in law and investment banking has provided a strong foundation for his success in the business world. With his strategic decisions and global network, Ogunlesi has become a prominent figure in the business community, particularly in the aviation industry through his ownership of Gatwick Airport and other notable acquisitions.
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Ogunlesi is a former head of global investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston
Nigerian lawyer and investment banker Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi is the owner of Gatwick Airport. In 2009, Ogunlesi's private equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) acquired a majority stake in London Gatwick Airport in a deal worth £1.455 billion.
Ogunlesi's career in finance and investment banking has been illustrious. Before joining First Boston, he worked as a law clerk to associate justice Thurgood Marshall of the United States Supreme Court from 1980 to 1981. He then became an attorney in the corporate practice group of the New York City law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he had previously been a summer associate while studying for his M.B.A. Ogunlesi's academic credentials are equally impressive. He holds a B.A. with first-class honours in philosophy, politics, and economics from Oxford University and a JD-MBA from Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School, which he received in 1979. During his time at Harvard, he was on the Harvard Law Review.
With his expertise and experience in investment banking, Ogunlesi has successfully led Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) in acquiring multiple airports. In addition to Gatwick Airport, GIP also owns London City Airport, Edinburgh Airport, and Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori. The Nigerian press has given him the nickname, "The Man Who Bought Gatwick Airport."
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GIP also owns Edinburgh Airport and London City Airport
Gatwick Airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a private equity firm founded by Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi in 2006. GIP has a diverse portfolio of investments in the infrastructure sector and has a keen interest in airports. In addition to Gatwick Airport, GIP also owns two other airports in the UK: Edinburgh Airport and London City Airport.
London City Airport was the first airport acquired by GIP in 2006, marking the company's entry into the aviation industry. This acquisition was soon followed by the purchase of a majority stake in Gatwick Airport in 2009 for £1.455 billion. GIP's expansion in the aviation sector continued with the acquisition of Edinburgh Airport in 2012, solidifying its presence in the UK airport market.
Edinburgh Airport, located in Scotland, is the busiest airport in the country and serves as an important gateway to the region. The airport handles a significant volume of passenger traffic, with over 14 million passengers passing through in 2019 before the pandemic. GIP's ownership of Edinburgh Airport has played a crucial role in the airport's development and growth, with continuous investments aimed at enhancing the airport's facilities and improving the overall passenger experience.
London City Airport, situated in the heart of London, is a convenient option for business travellers and those seeking quick connections to the city. GIP's acquisition of London City Airport in 2006 marked its first venture into airport ownership. The airport has since undergone significant developments, including the expansion of its terminal and the introduction of new routes, solidifying its position as a key transport hub for the city.
The ownership of these airports by GIP highlights the company's strategic focus on the aviation sector and its commitment to investing in critical infrastructure. GIP's expertise and financial backing have played a pivotal role in the development and success of these airports, contributing to their operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction. The acquisition of these airports by GIP has also brought about increased connectivity and economic growth in the regions they serve.
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Frequently asked questions
Gatwick Airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
Adebayo "Bayo" Ogunlesi is the chairman and managing partner at GIP.
Adebayo Ogunlesi is a Nigerian lawyer and investment banker. He previously served as the head of global investment banking at Credit Suisse First Boston.
GIP acquired a majority stake in Gatwick Airport in 2009 in a deal worth £1.455 billion.
