The boss of a ferry and airline company has announced he will step down from his role early next year. The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) said its chief executive, Stuart Reid, had tendered his resignation to take up a new job in the transport sector. His last day will be 16 February 2027.
Reid has been in the role for seven years. Skybus, the group's airline, has faced criticism in recent months over its handling of services to and from the Isles of Scilly, including the cancellation of flights during the summer. In a statement, ISSG said Reid would remain focused on delivering its priorities while the search for his successor took place.
Officials in the Isles of Scilly had also criticised a deal Skybus had with Guernsey-based airline Aurigny to provide aircraft for flights to Alderney from Guernsey and Southampton. Some suggested the agreement had made problems with Skybus flights to the Isles of Scilly worse.
Other issues this year included damage to a plane and hangars at Land's End Airport during Storm Goretti, which delayed the firm's aircraft maintenance plans. Combined with rising fuel costs, this led Skybus to axe its Newquay to London flights two months earlier than planned.
In July, Jonathan Hinkles left his role as managing director of Skybus with immediate effect. Reid took over on an interim basis while remaining CEO of ISSG. ISSG thanked Reid, who worked at the company for six years before becoming chief executive, for his "commitment and leadership".
"In the meantime, it is very much business as usual, with Stuart remaining focused on delivering the group's priorities, including the integration of the Alderney operation into Skybus and the technical acceptance of Scillonian IV," a spokesperson added. The new Isles of Scilly passenger ferry is due to enter service in March 2027.
Andrew Sells, chairman of Visit Isles of Scilly, said the tourist board wished Reid "all the best for the future". "We look forward to continuing to work with the Steamship Company," he said.
MP Andrew George, whose St Ives constituency includes the islands, said Reid's resignation would "not calm the anxieties" of people concerned about lifeline transport links. "For the chief executive to back out during a period of challenging transition will only heighten those anxieties," the Liberal Democrat said.
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Isles of Scilly Steamship Group Chief Executive Resigns