Speaker Bios

Nick Weston The Air Charter Association (The ACA) Chairman(Session presenting The ACA)

Nick Weston is the CEO and founder of Weston Aviation, which has now become a wide-ranging aviation resource company offering services from FBO ground handling, business aviation, cargo and group charter sales and a rapidly developing fuel network. Nick’s aviation career began in 1985 when he joined the RAF in the Air Movements Branch seeing service in the UK and overseas, in Belize, Central America. Weston Aviation now offers FBO and hangar facilities at Gloucestershire Airport, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Humberside Airport and Cork Airport in Ireland. Nick took over the helm as Chairman of The Air Charter Association in March 2019.

Adam Neaves Gama Aviation (Moderator: The Future of Broking Session)

Adam is Charter Sales Manager for Gama Aviation in Europe based at Farnborough Airport.  In his 15th year working exclusively within business aviation for UK operators he is responsible for managing Gama’s charter sales covering in fleet and sub-charter requirements. Experienced working with both industry and direct clients he is a natural communicator and problem solver.

Matthew Savage Smart Aviation (Panellist: The Future of Broking Session)

In July 2019 Matthew celebrated 30 years in the Aviation Industry. He joined Monarch Airlines straight from school and spent 14 years there, ultimately as Commercial Manager. Matthew then worked at Excel Airways as Sales Director, before becoming Manager of Commercial Jets for Air Partner Plc in 2007. Since 2010 he has been Sales Director of Smart Aviation, managing their PJ, CJ and ACMI broking team, as well as still taking an active role in charter sales with his own clients.

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James Shotton Skytime (Panellist: The Future of Broking Session)

James has been in the aviation industry since 2004 initially as a Sales and Commercial Director for an aircraft operator and charter brokerage. He co-founded Skytime in 2012 with a focus on the European and North American markets and although experienced across the industry, James and Skytime retain a focus on the executive charter market alongside the global music touring industry.

Neil Harvey Hunt & Palmer (Panellist: The Future of Broking Session)

Neil joined one of the original brokers, London Airtaxi Centre, in 1984, chartering commercial and executive aircraft. He moved on to work with two aircraft operators and over eight years took post holder positions with both an air taxi and jet operator. In 1994 Neil joined Hunt & Palmer, a then small executive aviation brokerage. The position developed into a role as Executive Aviation Broking Manager in 1998, steering the company through substantial growth and expansion. From 2010 Neil was elected to his current role of Director of Executive Aviation, Hunt & Palmer PLC Board member, taking responsibility for all Group executive aviation activity.

Adam Twidell PrivateFly (Moderator: The Future of Operating Session)

Adam is CEO and co-founder of PrivateFly, the leading global platform for on-demand private charter which is now part of Directional Aviation's OneSky family.

Adam began his career as a pilot, first with the RAF, before flying the Citation XL for Netjets and others. He launched PrivateFly in 2008, recognising the opportunity to unify the fragmented charter market on one platform - linking customers to available aircraft, and providing an improved marketing platform for charter operators.

With its European HQ in St Albans, and US offices in Boston and Fort Lauderdale, PrivateFly has shown significant and sustained growth since, while remaining at the forefront of innovation in on-demand charter. Following the acquisition by Directional Aviation in September 2018, Adam continues to lead PrivateFly as CEO.

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Derek Thomson Air Charter Scotland (Panellist: The Future of Operating Session)

Derek Thomson has more than 20 years’ aviation experience in various roles including operations and commercial activities with both fixed wing and helicopter companies, as well as working within a private jet handling terminal. He has a forward thinking, professional and positive attitude. Derek is 100% dedicated to ensuring that everything he does is done with the highest level of detail ensuring clients receive the best service when onboard the company’s fleet of aircraft. Derek also has a deep passion for Aviation, and has done since a very young age, and holds a Private Pilot’s Licence which he puts to use in his spare time.

Patrick Margetson-Rushmore Luxaviation UK (formerly LEA) (Panellist: The Future of Operating Session)

Patrick is CEO of Luxaviation UK. The company started from a Nissan Hut at Stapleford Airfield, Essex, in 1997 with three employees and one twin engined piston PA34 Seneca and is now one of the largest Business Jet Operators in Europe with a wide-ranging offering of fleets from transatlantic capability to small executive four passenger light jets. LEA has been voted “Best Charter Operator” six times at The ACA (formerly BACA) awards.

Andy Green Jota Aviation (Panellist: The Future of Operating Session)

Andy Green started his 32-year aviation career from humble beginnings as a teenager working on the ramp. He found his way to the boardroom via working in both Operations and Commercial departments and is currently the CEO and Accountable Manager of Jota Aviation, a specialist charter airline based at London Southend Airport, a role he has held since the company’s inception in 2009. Jota currently operate a fleet of 7 Avro RJ and BAe 146 passenger and cargo aircraft.

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Dave Edwards The Air Charter Association (The ACA) CEO (Moderator: Illegal Charter Session)

Dave Edwards is the part-time CEO of The Air Charter Association. Dave’s career has taken him through all areas of the aviation industry, including flight operations, ground services, training and maintenance. Having started his career in business aircraft handling, he went on to head Qatar Airways’ Business Jet Division as well as being Managing Director, Middle East and Asia and Group General Manager for Gama Aviation plc. Dave is a founding partner in Windsor Capital LLP, an aviation investment fund. Its current investments include Synergy Aviation, Oaklands Global, Flying Support, Lazy River and Farnborough Aircraft Interiors.

Ryan Waguespack National Air Transportation Association (NATA) (Panellist: Illegal Charter Session)

Ryan Waguespack joined NATA as Vice President of Aircraft Management, Air Charter Services and MROs in November 2018. A long-time supporter of the aviation business community and NATA, Ryan Waguespack served as the Chair of NATA’s WorkForce Development Committee and Illegal Charter Task Force, as well as Vice Chair of the Air Charter Committee as an association member. As Vice President, Ryan leads the Association and industry effort to combat illegal charter, working with the FAA and its Field Offices to educate the public on the risks, assisting the FAA in enforcement through data collection and reporting, and leveraging existing data sources to help the agency focus enforcement efforts. Previously, he served in various operational roles for charter management companies, as well as aircraft sales.

Robert Baltus European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) (Panellist: Illegal Charter Session)

Robert Baltus' aviation experience spans nearly 20 years advising and supporting senior management and executive Boards of a variety of aviation related companies. He has worked for aircraft management, fractional and charter operators and has built strong relationships with the leading business aviation companies in the industry. A business aviation specialist, Baltus is experienced in start-ups, fleet selection, training and strategic change management. He is a commercial pilot rated on the Boeing 737, has a business management degree from HES Amsterdam and an MSc in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University.

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Aoife O’Sullivan BBGA (Panellist: Illegal Charter Session, Insurance)

Aoife specialises in business and commercial aviation, military aircraft and civil aerospace. She advises clients on aircraft finance and regulatory issues, including corporate structures, aircraft acquisitions and airline start-ups. She is internationally renowned for her work in aircraft finance and speaks regularly at conferences and industry events.

James Moreton Hayward Aviation (Panellist: Illegal Charter Session, Insurance)

James Moreton has been in the aviation insurance market since 1983, staring at Leslie & Godwin Aviation Limited, a Lloyd’s broker involved with an international book of General Aviation, Major Airline and Manufacturers. Specialising in the GA sector of the industry he has handled the insurance needs of numerous clients ranging from individuals to managed fleets/AOC Holders within the UK/Europe. He joined Hayward Aviation Limited in 2009 where his role is to develop business and service clients. James is also a Board Member of the BBGA and attends the Operations Working Group and Corporate Aviation Safety Executive meetings.

Alasdair Whyte Corporate Jet Investor (Moderator: The Next Generation)

Alasdair is editor-in-chief of Corporate Jet Investor which provides insight and events for the global business jet market. He became a financial journalist in 1998 and has specialised in aviation for most of this time. Alasdair and his wife Louisa launched Specialist Insight in 2010. The company also runs Superyacht Investor, Helicopter Investor, Private Art Investor and Revolution.Aero (which focuses on the future of aviation). In 2019 the company received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. He lives in the country outside London. His main hobby is driving his two children between their hobbies.

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Charlotte de Beaumont PrivateFly (Panellist: The Next Generation)

Born and raised in Toulouse, Charlotte's passion of aviation started at a young age. She joined PrivateFly, a global platform for on-demand private charter, in 2015 to help developing its marketing activities in France and in Europe. To encourage more young people to join the industry, she is regularly taking part in YoPro panels, university events and young aviation professional gatherings, sharing her experience and the benefits of the industry to develop a career. Last year, she attended the global forum for young people One Young World as part of the EBAA delegation. The forum inspired her and the other delegates to develop a sustainability label for the industry.

Julie Black Deputy Chair, The ACA and Hunt & Palmer (Broker Training)

Julie Black has been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, starting her aviation career as a graduate at London City Airport in the late ‘90s. After four years there, working with the local business community and airlines to identify, establish and launch new routes, she moved to Biggin Hill Airport. At Biggin Hill, Julie was responsible for managing the airport’s own Executive Handling business, marketing and PR, and worked with the RAF to establish the Northolt Jet Centre. Her career took a new direction in 2003 when Julie joined Chapman Freeborn, progressing to lead the UK VIP / Executive team. Julie’s latest role is as Head of the UK Executive Charter team at Hunt & Palmer, overseeing a busy team on worldwide charter projects. Julie joined The Air Charter Association Council in 2015 and in 2019 she was delighted to be elected as Deputy Chair for the Association.

Kevin Ducksbury Emerge Aviation (Broker Training)

Kevin Ducksbury has 30 years’ experience in the charter industry. His career started with Monarch Airlines, where he worked for 11 years in a variety of roles in the company’s commercial division. Kevin then jumped into the role of commercial aircraft charter broker for the firm now known as Air Partner. There he again held number of brokering roles before progressing into the management side of the business with promotion to the company’s Operating Board as Director of Middle East & Asia, based in Dubai. In 2012 Kevin set up his own UK aviation consultancy and management services company, Emerge Aviation, working with a wide range of companies involved in the industry, from private jet operators in the Middle East to exclusive private jet catering companies in the UK, where he has provided strategic growth and managerial support as well as commercial, operational and training know-how. Today Kevin works for Air Charter International as Regional Leasing Director placing commercial aircraft with operators on ACMI wet leases.

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Glenn Hogben ACC Aviation (Broker Training)

Prior to his aviation career, Glenn held roles in a major utilities and a retail company. He has gained over 15 years’ experience in aircraft charter, leasing and management working for ACC Aviation has been instrumental in helping the company to grow and become one of the top five charter brokerages. Having initially trained to be a proficient ACMI leasing broker, Glenn lead the diversification of ACC into the adhoc and corporate charter markets and has worked on a wide variety of global leasing and air charter projects. Now Operations Director, he focuses on the strategic planning, operational management and development of the group, but maintains his interest and knowledge of the charter side of the business. Glenn, joined the Air Charter Association in 2008 and was appointed to the Council in 2017. He now chairs the Training and Events Committee and played a key role in the creation of the new Broker Qualification Course.

Jim Zanino Senior Director(Presenter: Gogo Business Aviation)

Jim Zanino is the Senior Director, Global Sales for Gogo Business Aviation managing their international sales team and building Gogo’s international market. Prior to joining Gogo in August 2017, Jim was the Vice President of Sales and Customer & Product support for BendixKing by Honeywell where he managed a team of 36 who were responsible for the sale and support of the BendixKing line of avionics for general aviation aircraft. Jim has over 30 years’ experience in the aviation field starting as a Naval Flight Officer for the United States Navy where he was a Bombardier/Navigator in A-6E Intruders. After leaving active duty Jim held various sales positions with Avidyne Corporation and Bose Corporation before joining BendixKing in 2012. Jim holds a MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Boston University.

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