Airport Experience® News - Leadership Issue 2025

ADVERTORIAL

SSP America’s New Visionary George Mboya Maps Course for Growth in North American Airport Restaurants

as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller. From there, he advanced to CFO, then Deputy CEO and CFO before taking the helm. His tenure coincided with significant growth, including expansion from $350 million to $1.1 billion in revenue. Born and raised in Kenya, Mboya moved to Canada as a young man. Initially aiming for engineering, he earned a mathematics degree and accounting credentials, which led him into finance. After roles at Sodexo and Compass Group, he joined SSP America at the invitation of former CEO Michael Svagdis. “The drive to give travelers a better experience is what keeps me going,” he says. SSP America, in line with SSP globally, strives to be “the best part of the journey,” an ambition Mboya embraces wholeheartedly. The Financial Mind With his elevation to CEO, Mboya tackles a broader range of opportunities. “I don’t see it as a daunting task,” he says. His financial background “helps with clarity and decision-making” as SSP charts its way forward in a competitive concessions arena. He is optimistic about growth in a business “still in recovery,” noting shifts since the pandemic: travelers want more convenience, faster service, and healthier options. Challenges remain—higher labor costs, rising construction expenses, and evolving customer expectations. “Labor rates have escalated, union activity is up, and health care costs are rising,” he says. Construction

Leading SSP America’s Next Chapter When George Mboya stepped into the CEO role at SSP America, he didn’t just inherit a thriving airport concessions business—he embraced a mission to redefine what travelers experience in North America’s airports. Known for turning challenges into opportunities, Mboya is charting a course that blends culinary creativity, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to partnership. His leadership signals more than a change at the top; it marks the start of an ambitious push to innovate, elevate, and grow in one of the most dynamic sectors of travel hospitality. Mboya was named CEO in October 2025 after serving as interim CEO for six months. Taking on this role provides “an energizing opportunity for me to bring my data-driven financial mindset into operations.” With new energy and a mandate for growth, Mboya is positioning SSP America to partner with airports in order to drive shared success. “There is enormous opportunity ahead,” he says, noting rapid expansion at North American airports. “I want SSP America not only to grow but to innovate and elevate the experience we offer travelers across the board.” The Lure of Travel Hospitality Mboya may be new to the CEO title, but he has a long history with SSP America. After more than a dozen years at Compass Group, he joined SSP America in 2017

Above: George Mboya, CEO, SSP America

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AX NEWS DECEMBER 2025 / JANUARY 2026