AIRLINE MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Adam is an accomplished Maintenance and Engineering C-Suite Executive with over 35 years of global airline and MRO leadership experience. He was Chief Operations Officer and EASA Part 145 Post Holder at Joramco, a leading independent MRO based in Amman, Jordan. Prior to that he held senior executive roles leading turnarounds, continuous improvement strategies, organisational design and workforce alignment initiatives at airlines and MRO's globally including Emirates, Fiji Airways, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways, SAA and SR Technics. Adam's combination of strategic and tactical agility enabled him to deliver demonstrable improvements in cost management, operational reliability and performance, safety performance, contract negotiations, and he has executed turnarounds, reorganisations and performance improvements whilst motivating and inspiring his teams with his inclusive leadership style. Adam holds an MBA from the University of Central Lancashire, UK.
An experienced strategy and performance improvement professional with over 15 years experience in the aviation sector, Augusto has developed expertise in corporate strategy, corporate restructuring, performance improvement and transaction support with a successful and proven track record working with airlines, airports, regulatory bodies and investment funds.
He has been involved in the restructuring of Air Malta, LOT Polish Airlines, Meridiana and Caribbean Airlines amongst others, in a number of start-ups including SalamAir and Go-Fly, and has managed several high-profile projects such as a large MRO cost reduction initiative at Alitalia, a review of the business plan of a long-haul LCC for the UK CAA, the operational improvement of a mid-tier European airline facing intense LCC competition and several airport strategy and due-diligence assignments for investment funds.
Augusto holds a BA(Hons) in International Business Studies from the European Business School in London and speaks Italian, English and German fluently, and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Barry has over 35 years' expertise in Commercial, Revenue Management, Pricing & Network across multiple airlines, starting at British Airways in Finance. He is working on the setup of the Revenue Management systems and Route Network for Ecojet's launch in Scotland. At flybmi he delivered first profit in 6 years by restructuring Pricing and then mentoring the Revenue Management team, achieving 10%+ year on year RASK growth. At Monarch, he grew scheduled passenger numbers from 600k to 7 million with a CAGR of over 22% annually. He managed the right-sizing of aircraft and allocation by route to maximise contribution across the Monarch Group companies. At OAG he held responsibility for account management of OAG's North, Central and South American customers. Barry holds a Certificate of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University
With over 25 years in the aviation industry, Ben has a track record of commercial leadership in challenging international environments across the industry. Ben first started on the Graduate Fast Track program at British Airways and held senior positions across the airline including Duty Manager at Heathrow T1, launching the ‘Global Explorer' with Qantas and USAir, launching Air Liberté in France, Global Sales Strategy, Distribution and launching e-ticket globally.
Ben has extensive expertise in commercial and business strategy and implementation for both start-ups and turnarounds, including market analysis, M&A and disposal for private and government entities. He has launched, grown, and implemented turnarounds of award winning airlines, including:
Chief Restructuring Office, Commercial for South African Airways
Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir launching Oman's first low cost carrier
VP Commercial for the launch of Caribbean Airlines, integrating Tobago Express
Restructuring the Commercial division of Air Malta including the sale of its tour operators
Launching Eastern Airways' regional operation in France winning PSO routes
Co-founding an award-winning Airline Cargo and Pet Travel company
Launching Cirrus Aviation UK, a private jet venture partner of Lufthansa
Initiating profitable transport infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa
Ben holds a BSc (Joint Honours) in Psychology and Zoology from Bristol University, a postgraduate Diploma in PR from the London School of Public Relations and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. Ben is a coach/mentor, serves on the Board of start-up and high growth businesses, social enterprises and charities, and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Benito is an aviation professional with over 20 years' experience across airlines, Global Express, Hub operations, freight movement, Network and Operations Control. As Operations Management Control Consultant for VietJet, he implemented efficiency and quality programs, training, policies, procedures, systems and co-managed the Fuel Management Best Practices. Benito worked on the launch of SalamAir in the Sultanate of Oman as Head of IOCC. As Director of OCC for Cebu Pacific Air he managed the company's OCC, including Network Control, Flight Dispatch, Crew Control, Crew Planning, Load Control, Flight Technical and Technical Publications. He managed the systems integrity through the transition from OCC to an IOCC. Benito was Senior Manager of Global Operations Control and Freight Movement Centre at FedEx Express providing 24 x 7 command and control for the FedEx network, feeder, trucking, and package movement within Asia, US, Europe, Canada and domestic China. Benito holds a BS Aeronautical Engineering, Philippine Air Transport School of Aeronautics, and a Diploma in Meteorology, and is Certified in Safety Management Systems
Christian has over 30 years of experience in the aviation sector, specialising in airport and ground operations. He worked at Lufthansa Cityline as Postholder ground operations and in Crew Planning & Dispatch and as General Manager of Lufthansa airport operations in Berlin. After managing the Handling Division of Aviapartner Group he has covered various senior positions within Munich Airport, including Managing Director for Ground Services, Member of the Board, Director of Quality, Project and Process Management, and MD of Munich Airport Security. He also acted as Chief Transformation Officer of Sofia Airport.
Christian is a Certified Compliance Officer from the University of Augsburg and holds a number of IATA, ACI and EASC professional memberships.
Dave has many years of experience in aviation risk management, compliance and safety management, ensuring the airlines he has worked with are aware of their operational and financial risks, which are then effectively managed and controlled. Dave qualified as a Certifying Engineer beginning his aviation experience with Air Europe and then Virgin Atlantic Airways. Dave moved into management focusing on the fields of safety and compliance monitoring. He joined Jet2.com as Head of Quality, becoming Head of Safety, Compliance & Assurance, and was responsible for all aspects of Safety and Compliance management systems, Health & Safety and Aviation Security. During this time Dave was accountable for the development of a mature, industry leading safety management system. He successfully implemented the safety and compliance system for SalamAir - Oman's first low cost carrier, served as an Airworthiness Surveyor for UK Civil Aviation Authority, and is an experienced Nominated Person for Safety & Compliance, Air Ops & CAMO.
David is an aviation professional with over 40 years global airline experience. He has an unusual breadth of aviation experience after serving 27 years in operations leadership with Air New Zealand, during which time he graduated from the Auckland University Executive Programme. He went on to hold senior management and consulting positions in Operations Control, including the initial assessment team for emergency and incident response with Qatar Airways, Fiji Airways and TAAG. During his time in Qatar, Fiji and Angola, David designed and commissioned new OCC builds and restructured and realigned the organisational workforce in line with the airlines' respective growth strategies. He has also managed the operation for Tasman Cargo Airline (DHL) in Auckland, which saw significant growth during the pandemic. David's hands on and inclusive leadership style ensured an engaged workforce to drive change and improve on-time performance and operational efficiencies.
Job Titles:
- Contributor and Resident Expert in Crew Resources
Dean has over 25 years of Airline Operations experience, specialising in Crew Resource Planning, Crew Control Software, Scheduling Agreements, Regulations, Business Process Engineering, Training and Crew Relations. He has held positions of responsibility for Operations departments, Crew Management and IT, and has advised CEOs and Directors on transition, development and change.
Dean's experience in aviation technical and operational matters includes Fatigue Risk Management System enhancement at Virgin Atlantic, redesigning and implementing a new Operations Control Centre at Flybe, Operations IT transformation at Vueling with projects from system training to fuel efficiency, Flight Operations Transition Manager at Air Malta during the EU approved turnaround, redesigning the Flight Operations department, introducing a new Safety Management System, Fatigue Risk Management and Emergency Response Procedures. At Air Tanker he was responsible for crew planning for civilian and RAF pilots and cabin crew, as well as managing Crew Fatigue in FRMS. At the XL Group, Dean was responsible for crew planning for 5 airlines covering 3 AOCs, over 2000 crew and 50 staff in multiple locations, responsible for Union Agreements, staff recruitment and training, CAA co-ordination, travel, crew training and records, as well as Operations Systems Management. He has led operations and crew transformation at Air Atlanta Icelandic, Jet2, National Jet Italia, British World Airlines and Sabre Airline Systems.
Dean is a regular contributor and resident expert in Crew Resources and Project Management for Aircraft IT Operations eJournal and presents regularly on Crew Resources at conferences. Dean is Prince2 and ITIL qualified.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees for the BA India 's 5 Pension Funds
Diane has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, including roles at British Airways, Etihad, TAAG Angola, Air Serbia, and Air Seychelles. Diane is an expert in aviation restructuring, sales, distribution, people, policies review, commercial and financial compliance, and governance. She has successfully led commercial integration and restructuring of partner airlines and joint businesses, including the BA/Iberia/American Airlines Joint Business.
Diane has set up and remodelled GSA Agreements to drive sales performance across an airline network. She has conducted financial reviews of network business units, focusing on driving profitability, margins, and sales. Diane has also reviewed distribution policies and procedures and implemented improved working practices.
As the Chair of Trustees for the BA India's 5 Pension Funds, Diane resolved long-standing financial and regulatory issues and was involved in the formation of CallBA, BA's global contact centre.
Diane holds an LLB (Hons) in Law from Brunel University and is a Qualified Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Gillian is a Thought Leader in Service Experience development and Managing Director of TMI UK Limited. Having started her career in the airline industry, first in marketing and then moving into the world of organisational development she now works with a broad range of international clients on developing, engaging and embedding a branded service experience into their organisation.
Over the past few years, she has designed and embedded customer experience propositions for British Airways, John Lewis and the Royal Household amongst others.
Gillian is was also invited to be a special advisor to the London Olympics.
Giorgio is an aviation professional with over 18 years experience across the industry, including 12 years in the GCC. with significant experience in commercial and VIP/VVIP operations. Giorgio has extensive start up experience in worldwide AOC/NCC start-up, aircraft acquisition, business modelling, and regulator relations. He is an experienced COO, Accountable Manager, Flight Operations Manager (NPFO), Training Manager (NPCT), Safety and Compliance Manager, IOSA Auditor. IOSA Auditor, EASA Crew Training Policy Group (ATPG). An Airbus A320 VVIP Captain, he has flown A320, A330, A350, A380, and B737 aircraft as Captain, holding licences and certifications under EASA, GCAA and UK CAA
Giorgio is a Qualification Examiner and Instructor - Senior TRI & TRE (Unrestricted LIFUS+LDG+SIM), and holds an
Helen is a dedicated, enthusiastic and proactive Head of Cabin Crew with extensive experience across the aviation industry, She served as Head of Cabin Crew for the launch of SalamAir, setting up the department, creating the service standards, recruiting and training over 60 crew based in Oman. Helen has set up new airline bases in challenging environments across the world including Europe, Africa and Asia. She is an experienced SEP and Cabin Safety instructor, covering both theory and practical and has trained international crew for leading airlines.
Helen served as Cabin Base Manager and SEP Instructor responsible for 800 Cabin Crew in Jeddah for Air Atlanta Icelandic operating for Saudi Arabian Airlines. She was selected as Base Manager on Ascension Island, a military contract, operating on the B747 aircraft. She joined the launch of Astraeus at London Gatwick, responsible for the safety and security of passengers on the B737 aircraft, and served as Cabin Crew for Caledonian Airways on the fleet of Tristar L1011, DC10, A320 and B757, as well as operating routes for British Airways on the B777 fleet. Helen has commercial experience including as Account Manager for McGinley Aviation servicing 800 Ryanair pilots, as well as in retail management.
A dynamic and proactive hands-on Vice President with over 25 years of continuous achievement and progression in service excellence and operational efficiency within the airline sector. Joe served as Head of Ground Operations for the launch of SalamAir, setting up the operational processes and playing a key role in the attainment of the AOC. He opened new bases for Ryanair in the UK, securing new airport layouts, passenger boarding zones, ensuring infrastructure, contractual and operational targets were met. As a core member of the Heathrow Airport (HAL) team he delivered a new World Class Special Assistance strategy. He was VP Network Stations and Acting Head of Ground Services for Qatar Airways, where he played a pivotal role in setting the strategy and achievement for 5 Star on the Ground, he successfully opened 35 new stations and was a key member of the Emergency Committee and of various crises teams.
Joe served as General Manager Heathrow for Virgin Atlantic Airways where he oversaw organisational change, introduced new working practices as part of a new management team that saved the company £10m. He Introduced a coaching culture within Airport Services at LHR and LGW, and successfully managed initial emergency situation during the VS24 crash landing at Heathrow in 1997 and the aftermath of the 2001 September 11 incident.
Joe served as Chair of the Gatwick AOC, working closely with the Airport authority regarding business relations, conformity to procedures, quality management, and airport construction projects.
With 26 years aviation experience, John specialises in airport transactions and M&A, airport operations, asset management and route/network development, having completed over 35 airport transactions globally as either Principal or Advisor.
John was Head of Business Development at BAA (now Heathrow Airport Holdings), responsible for a wide range of airport related M&A activity including; leading bid teams to acquire Budapest and Oman airports and implementing the transition, managing the disposal of assets including World Duty Free, Lynton Properties, Indianapolis Airport, and various Australian airports (Melbourne, Perth, etc). John held a range of Operational Roles for BAA including Strategy and Regulation, Route Development, Retail, Security, Engineering, and Market Research
John holds an MBA from the University of Surrey (UK), and a BSc (Hons) Economics and Business Finance from Brunel University (UK).
With over 25 years aviation, travel and tourism leadership experience, Jon has worked with some of the world's most influential global brands and tourism bodies, with a focus on sustainable growth. Geographically versatile, his recent experiences include working with the travel industry in India, China and Africa. Driving brand engagement and commercial growth, his key experience lies in Sales, Marketing, Digital and Communications.
Jon is an experienced strategic thinker with vision, diplomacy, stakeholder and press relations skills. His aviation experience includes: leading the growth of British Airways' Ancillary sales business and took charge of the airline's customer-facing Communications team during the challenging industry period during 9/11, SARS and War in Iraq. As Marketing & Communications Chair for Star Alliance (UK) he implemented a digital mobile optimised website, coinciding with the campaign launch of the new alliance hub at Heathrow Terminal 2. His turnaround work with SAA saw him develop the Digital and Distribution strategies and commercial organisational redesign, that gained the government-backing for the relaunch of the airline following the COVID pandemic.
Jon has extensive experience of Channel Management, and he has led the growth of Direct Sales divisions implementing cost of sale reductions at SAA, BA and several UK FTSE 100 and US Nasdaq listed companies, such as Avis and RAC. His wider experience has seen him spearhead the growth of numerous international markets and connect many film and sports partner and sponsorship arrangements into aviation. His public affairs work with Tourism Ministers across the world has seen him develop a reputation and a passion for sustainability and CSR, providing the travel sector with a platform into the industry.
Josua is an Aviation professional and Strategic Project Manager with over 25 years of experience. He served as Head of Strategy and PMO at South African Airlines, established the Operational Research division, led the turnaround program at SAA Technical, played a key role in the launch and expansion of Mango Airlines, and initiated and managed the Cost Compression Program at the national airline resulting in savings of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Josua was Chairman of the IATA Airline Cost Management Group, and IT Operational Manager at Swissair - Atraxis. He is a Member of AGIFORS the Airline Group of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies. He holds a B.Sc. Honours Computer Science with Economics from Northwest University, and M.Com. Business Management from the University of Johannesburg.
Julien has over a decade of experience in the aviation industry, with more than 5,000 flight hours, and holds certifications in Aviation Engineering, Human Factors, Fatigue Management and Crew Resource Management. He has held NPCT positions, and specialises in support and training solutions, focusing on enhancing protocols and operational efficiency. He addresses complex challenges, effects positive change and raises the standards across the industry. As Safety Officer then Fleet Manager for a major European Business Aviation company, he was deeply involved in risk management, developing comprehensive protocols, leading a team of 60 pilots ensuring seamless coordination between flight crew, technical teams and regulatory authorities. As Project Officer for a major blue chip airline, Julien contributes to integrated risk management initiatives, identifying and mitigating potential risks across operational functions. His experience and insights drive continuous improvement and maintains the highest standards of compliance and governance. Julien is a graduate of the Université Paris Descartes and IPSA, école d'ingénieurs de l'air et de l'espace.
Justin has over 36 years of aviation industry experience, holding senior positions in aircraft maintenance, design and production engineering, airworthiness certification, safety regulation, CAMO, and asset management.
Justin served as Head of Asset Management for CDB Aviation Leasing with a fleet of 233 aircraft. He served as COO for the launch of SalamAir, playing an instrumental role in aircraft acquisition and the achievement of the AOC. He has delivered a number of EU based airline cost reduction and re-engineering programs encompassing strategic analysis and workload/capacity alignment, workforce optimisation, rationalising maintenance check content and efficiency. Justin was Founding Director of the AVISA Group of companies including AVISA UK, AVISA Gulf and aeroDAC. The group employs over 40 staff and are leading providers of CAMO and Part 21 DOA and POA services.
Justin holds a BEng Honours in Aerospace Engineering, is a Member of the RAeS, an Incorporated Engineer, a member of the BAAC and is a trained Quality and project Management specialist. He has over 9 years' experience as a Senior Regulator and is a multi-type rated aircraft engineer on a wide range of fixed wing aircraft, and serves as aviation expert in both the London High Court and International Court of Arbitration.
Lisa has over 30 years of experience in managing large commercial businesses, including roles in Aviation at Emirates, Qatar, TAAG Angola, VivaAir (Ryanair Group), and Top 5 Consulting firms. She combines strategic decision-making and financial discipline with a hands-on leadership approach, resulting in strong ROI/RASK/CASK, and stronf stakeholder management resulting in recognition from employees, customers, stakeholders, and shareholders.
Lisa is skilled in M&A and strategic partnerships, with a proven ability to conceptualize and develop key growth sales strategies, techniques, and action plans. She excels in motivating, inspiring, driving, coaching, training, and leading large teams effectively.
Her extensive experience includes bringing transformational change, organizational planning and management, setting short- and long-term goals, building business capability, and implementing controls to efficiently manage P&L and Budget.
Lisa holds a Master's in Applied Mathematics & Computer Science, an MBA, and Finance for Executives Board Directors
Manish has over 23 years of aviation leadership experience, driving innovation and transformative strategies, translating Shareholders' visions into enterprise value through data-driven decision-making. He is a catalyst for transformative change, with a focus on strategic restructuring, turnarounds, and revitalisation - coupled with process improvement, governance, and risk expertise. He launched the first new low-cost airline and challenger brand in Australia in 15 years. He has held a number of C-Level roles across airlines and alliances, including CEO Airline Investments, Group Operating Partner Aviation, and CEO Value Alliance at 777 Partners, VP Strategy & Commercial at SAA, CCO at GoAir, VP Commercial Strategy at Jet Airways, as well as Head of Corporate Strategy & Strategic Projects at Etihad in Abu Dhabi, Rome, Belgrade, Berlin, and Mumbai. He was previously Project Director Business Transformation at Macquarie Bank, and a consultant for PwC.
Manish holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Queensland, Australia.
Matina brings over 35 years of extensive experience in project managing and implementing complex initiatives, with strong emphasis on setting up an managing PMOs, IT transformation, planning, project, process management and organisational change. Matina has balanced the strategic needs of the business with a solid understanding of the customer and the delivery of bottom line impact and results. She has worked for large international corporations such as Virgin, Hewlett Packard, Canadian Pacific Railway, TransCanada Pipelines, Esso Petroleum, Munich Reinsurance and Siemens. Matina has set up numerous PMOs including; MAPFRE Insurance, SAA and Air Malta, with robust planning skills, discipline and cultural understanding to complex multinational programs. She served as CIO of Air Malta, developing and implementing a new IT strategy, and a key driver in the company's digital transformation. As launch program manager of the Transatlantic Secure Collaboration Program she brought program management discipline and cultural understanding to the venture spanning 5 countries and 9 government and commercial organisations in the Aerospace and Defence industry.
Matina holds an MBA in Business & IT Strategy and a BSc in Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences, as well as Systems Dynamics from M.I.T. Sloan School of Business, Project and Program Management training and certifications (early PMI/PMP). She is fluent in English and German and has strong knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian. She has a special ability at understanding different cultures having extensive work experience in Canada, USA, Germany and Malta.
During a career spanning 14 years in aviation, Melinda initially held senior roles in Malev Hungarian Airlines, then became one of the six partners who founded and launched Wizz Air, now the largest low-cost airline in Central and Eastern Europe. Responsible for branding and marketing, she delivered the initially unknown Wizz Air brand into one of the most recognized and profitable low-cost airline brand in Europe.
In 2011 she joined a new leadership team restructuring Air Malta. Melinda lead the rebranding of this national airline, rebuilding the brand, delivering a marketing strategy and creating customer care and loyalty teams. Melinda translated the business plan into an end to end customer journey.
Melinda supports airline branding projects on a consultancy basis. Her business experience in leafing corporate airlines and initiating successful start ups make her a valuable asset for any change project.
Mike is an aviation professional with expertise in designing competitive airline networks and schedules, optimally assigning aircraft to routes for sustainable profitability. He was part of the turnaround of South African Airways leading network planning and airline partnerships developing innovative commercial relationships and new route launches, he led the regional expansion for Airlink including a fleet up-gauge, and was the architect of fleet and network expansion for the turnaround of Air Tanzania.
Mike has led the development of multiple airlines franchises across many African jurisdictions, adapting the LCC model to Africa. In addition he led the growth of an Aircraft Leasing and Management Company across the Middle East and Africa.
Mike earned an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town with a dissertation on "Distressed State-Owned Airline Syndrome, A Systemic Approach"
Milan has 40 years of experience in aviation, aircraft maintenance, operations, and regulations. He has held leadership positions including responsibility for Adria Airways Engineering, Head of Flight Operations, and as General Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of Slovenia. He created MK Tek, a Part 145 approved maintenance organisation, as well as Aero4M, now Amelia International (Regourd Aviation Group) as a successful maintenance company, CAMO certified and EU Ops operator, specializing in regional aircraft. Milan is an experienced post holder, and holds licenses and certifications in: ICAO type 1, Part 66 B2; Type rating for: EMB 120, EMB 135/145, King Air B200, ATR 42/72, EMB170/190, Falcon 7; ICAO Airworthiness Inspector, Maintenance Program Development, Part 145, Part M, SGS, Aircraft Reliability, Engine Trend Monitoring, Aircraft Maintenance Program Development, Quality Audit, Aircraft Operation, Aircraft Security, Safety Management Systems
Neale has over 27 years' experience in working with companies in Australia, Europe and the Caribbean, specialising in business improvement programs across a number of industries. He has significant international experience in turnarounds of underperforming companies, implementing business improvement initiatives, business start-ups, mergers & acquisitions and creating shared service centres.
Neale specialises in leading the people and organisation elements of major business transformations - including downsizing and upsizing, organisation design and redesign, stakeholder management, communications, cultural transformation, union negotiations to enable change and performance management and incentive schemes.
Peter is an experienced Chief Executive of airlines and a Chair and Non-Executive Director of customer and business services companies, fostering and protecting shareholder value.
Pier is a Marketing and Customer Experience expert with over 20 years of brand led transformation experience. He was Vice President Marketing for Virgin, and led the Customer Experience and On Time Performance transformation at Air Malta. Pier served as VP of Brand Management at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and was responsible for Brand Led transformations across a number of industries including aviation, retail, banking, hospitals, aligning service delivery and internal processes with the Brand Promise and target customer experience. Pier has extensive launch and commercialisation experience across various business verticals and business models at a global level in North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Rigas Doganis has acted as a consultant and strategy advisor to airlines, airports and governments around the world. He has served as a non-executive director of EasyJet, for 9 years till the end of 2014, and of South African Airways. He was previously Chairman and CEO of Olympic Airways, the Greek national airline and implemented a successful turnaround plan. He sat on the Board of Hyderabad Airport in India for nine years and is Chairman of the European Aviation Club in Brussels.
He was Professor and Head of Air Transport at Cranfield University from 1990 to 1997 and is now a Visiting Professor there. He was Visiting Professor in Airline Management at the Asian School of Management in Manila.
Among Rigas' numerous publications are three books "Flying Off Course: Airline Economics and Marketing", "The Airline Business" and "The Airport Business", translated into Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese
Ray served as Deputy Director of Sales for British Airways, and as VP Sales for the oneworld airline alliance, from its inception in 1999, both with worldwide responsibility. Ray held a number of senior positions at British Airways including; Director Ground Operations Heathrow responsible for all BA and many third party operated flights, Head of Revenue Management, and Managing Director of Travicom (Galileo predecessor company). He has also worked in BA Cargo in commercial and operational roles, and in New York with commercial responsibilities USA-wide.
Ray's non-executive board experience includes EB2, a start-up internet booking engine provider, where he was the first appointed NED and oversaw the company's sale to Sabre.
Ray holds a Masters in Operational Research from Lancaster University and a BSc Mathematics from Sussex University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Rob is an aviation professional with over 15 years experience working across the sector with airlines, airports, lessors, OEMs, infrastructure funds and investment banks. With a specialisation in financial and strategic aspects of the industry, his experience covers both operational and regulatory due diligence and business planning.
Rob's experience spans the industry body IATA, as well as low cost carriers such as easyJet, large network carriers and regional airlines. He worked on the privatization of Jat Airways, Serbia's national airline, as well as Corporate Strategy projects at Etihad and Air Serbia. Rob was advisor to Institutional Investors on the UK Competition Commission breakup of BAA and evolution of airport regulation in the UK, as well as the development of aerospace policy for major G7 governments.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Ottawa.
Taryn is an experienced Project Manager across airline, automotive and retail sectors. She held a key role in the turnaround strategy of South African Airways - responsible for the Management of the Operations Project Office and implementation of critical company-wide, cross-departmental strategic projects as well as strategic alignment of identified project and implementation.
She managed projects focused on Compliance, Operational Efficiency, Business Rescue as well as Cost Saving/Revenue Uplift - linking to the Executive Committee and Shareholder teams.
Taryn plays a key role on an automotive Target Steering team, in maintaining compliance of ISO9001 and Occupational Health and Safety (ISO45001) Standards within the IT Hub, responsible for preparing for audits and inspections. She was a key support to the Global Operations Project Management in the delivery of the FIFA Football World Cup project.
Taryn holds a Bachelor of Technology Degree: Project Management from Chartall Business Academy, Diploma in Project Management from the Centre of Excellence, and certifications in Advanced Project Management from the University of South Africa, she is a PECB Certified ISO9001 Auditor & Implementer, Certified ISO45001 Auditor & Implementer.
Tony has over 25 years of experience in strategy consulting, finance and transactions, focused on the transportation sector, including airlines and airports. He has extensive experience in Africa and globally. Clients include major companies, private equity firms, and international donors & national governments - including BA, Qantas, Virgin & the World Bank. With extensive experience of PPP projects internationally and in Africa.
Tony was Partner in the Strategy Group at EY and Global Head of Transportation, Infrastructure and Logistics. He managed an alliance with PWC specialised in restructuring and privatisation of transport companies in Africa, and worked on the privatisation of an African airline. He has given start-up support to airlines in South-East Asia and the Middle East, and was seconded to Qantas for 2 years to help with strategy and restructuring. Tony's focus is on strategy, upside value creation and bridging implementation.
Tony's focus is on strategy, upside value creation and bridging implementation, he has undertaken professional assignments in over 40 countries. He has an MBA from M.I.T..
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff Central Flying School
Chris is an aviation professional with over 20 years leadership experience across the military, commercial aviation, and finance. Having started his career as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force, he has extensive experience in managing change, delivering continuous improvement, and providing maximum organisational output for start ups and large organisations - and in operating in complex, fast paced environments under accelerated timelines. At HSBC Bank he was Global Programme Manager at HSBC, responsible for a $10.6m portfolio to deliver Point of Sale financing products across 13 global markets. Prior to that at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Chris was Director responsible for regulation and governance of all General Aviation aircraft, engineering, training, operations and air displays. At NATO he was Director, Wing Commander and Deputy Chief for the ISAF Joint Command, assuring appropriate apportionment of air assets and support to the mission in Afghanistan. Within the RAF
he was Director, Wing Commander, Chief of Staff Central Flying School and Red Arrows Senior Operator. He supported multiple global operations, including disaster relief efforts in the Philippines, and operations in Africa, as well as being responsible for training and delivery of Qualified Helicopter Instructors. He holds a BEng (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering from Nottingham Trent University.