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19 February 2024
Aviation Council with Aviation Minister
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19 February 2024
Alex has worked in business aviation for over 30 years, across a variety of management, operational, sales and consultancy roles. Starting from the Operations desk at Oxford Airport in 1992 where he gained his Private Pilot Licence, he’s gone on to manage and set up a variety of aircraft operations across a number of jurisdictions. CEO since 2013 Alex has developed the Klyne Aviation Group of businesses based at Norwich Airport, which includes the SaxonAir aviation businesses. An Honours graduate of Birmingham University, he has a Diploma in Management Studies from Oxford Brookes University and is an alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme and Unicorn School. He is also Vice Chair of BBGA. Alex was a Department for Transport Aviation Ambassador from 2024-2025, supporting their Generation Aviation programme, aimed at attracting diverse and talented people into the aviation sector. With decarbonisation an industry priority, Alex is proactively engaged in taking practical action towards this, both within SaxonAir and across the wider industry. This includes operation of electric aircraft, campaigning for greater SAF update, and evolving infrastructure to support new cleaner technologies.
Chief Executive Officer with a strong business development background with over 30 years’ experience:
With a demonstrated history of working in the aviation and aerospace industry. Experience in Aeronautics, Airport Management, Airspace planning, and use covering General Aviation.
As the project director for GAINS (General Aviation Improved Navigation and Surveillance), AOPA UK was particularly involved with the cross-association Electronic Conspicuity Working Group (Chaired by Martin Robinson), focusing on the need for a future cooperative surveillance environment.
As the project lead for GAGA (GNSS Approaches for GA), AOPA set about introducing LPV approaches into three UK GA aerodromes – the project is slowly moving ahead as we need to adjust to take account of the UK withdrawal from EGNOS.
Project GRIMASSE is a European project that seeks to improve SAR detection through improved satellite technology. AOPA coordinated the GA inputs in conjunction with PILDO Labs.
Participant in the CORUS Xuam project under a European contract that seeks to develop concepts around U Space.
Internationally, I have worked with organizations and Governments from the Far East and Middle East, and for 16 years, I was the senior vice president of International.
I have held a pilot’s license since 1987, both in the US and UK.
Tim joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1978. He commissioned at RAF Henlow in 1979, he did jet training at RAF Cranwell and helicopter training at RAF Shawbury where he was awarded the flying prize for top rotary student.
Since 1979 he has gained over 5000 hours rotary flying and procedurally instrument-rated on CH-47, EH101, S-61, S-54, UH-1, Bell 212 & Gazelle helicopters in Army Support, Comms, VIP and SAR roles. Served and flown in high/high climates in Oman, Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia and operated off-shore. 500 jet and piston hours. B2 Qualified Helicopter Instructor. RAF Human Factors Facilitator and Dangerous Goods Instructor.
| 2016-Present | British Helicopter Association (BHA) Chief Executive Officer | Fairoaks, UK |
| 2014-2016 | NATO Headquarters Southern Europe Deputy Director Joint Operations Centre | Naples, Italy |
| 2010-2014 | Flt Safety Directorate Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Royal Air Force Loan Service Officer to newly established Directorate | Amman, Jordan |
| 2007-2010 | United States Central Command UK Military Exchange Officer to Operations Division | Tampa, USA |
| 2005-2007 | Royal Air Force Headquarters 2 Group SO1 Current Capability | RAF High Wycombe |
| 2003-2005 | Defence Aviation Safety Centre (DASC) Staff Officer 2 Helicopters | RAF Bentley Priory |
| 2000-2003 | Dep Project Manager for Merlin (EH101) Intro-to-Service Squadron Second in Command | RAF Benson |
| 1997-2000 | Search and Rescue Flight Commander Squadron Second in Command | RAF Lossiemouth |
| 1996-1997 | RAF Strike Command Flight Safety Staff Officer 2 Rotary & Multi-engine | RAF High Wycombe |
| 1994-1996 | Head Quarters British Forces Hong Kong SO2 J3 (Air) and Head Joint Ops & Air Tasking Cell | Hong Kong |
| 1981-1994 | RAF Pilot Flying Helicopters and Fixed Wing Aircraft. |
MBA, BSc Hons, Part 66 B1/B2/C
Marc has had the privilege of working across a broad spectrum of aviation, including scheduled airlines, MROs, military contracts and as a CEO representing 180 members in the UK. Despite the presence of numerous global organizations in the UK, there continues to be significant collaboration with our European counterparts. With 40 years of experience as a licensed engineer, Marc still holds type ratings for older aircraft some of which are still surprisingly in service. He has been a post holder in Continuing Airworthiness, Quality, Base Maintenance, and a Part 147 Training Facility.
A key part of Marc’s current activities is the alliance for General Aviation for Business (GA4Biz), Together with BHA, ARPAS and AOPA, BBGA we are helping address business and regulatory issues with UK government and the CAA. These joint endeavours are proving to be highly effective and are vital to the future development of aviation.
Marc is passionate about fostering a new generation of aviation enthusiasts to work in our industry. We are working closely with the UK Government, industry, and providers across the UK to implement a fresh strategy. The new talent recruitment platform sponsored by the UK government in conjunction with TRS, the provider, is helping to develop a cohesive relationship between colleges, universities, and our industry to address the specific requirements of aviation in the UK.
Current positions held that support aviation:
The BBGA is a not-for-profit organisation aiming to represent the various activities conducted in business aviation. It is important to recognise that we represent businesses involved in a wide range of services. While the BBGA may sometimes be perceived as solely supporting business jets, even in operational terms, these activities can be extremely varied. At one end of the spectrum, special operations teams are engaged in work such as relocating equipment or surveying locations which deliver a very tailored service. On the opposite end, there might be a VVIP operation involving a Boeing Business Jet carrying numerous passengers and cargo. In the middle would be the more typical movement of passengers on specific business jets. Integrated within this activity are services that are vital to everyday life, such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, repatriation from conflict zones and connecting remote regions to the rest of the world.
Support activities are crucial in facilitating the delivery of operational services. For business aviation, these support activities are provided by Fixed Base Operations (FBOs), which serve as the equivalent of airport terminals. The maintenance activities are supported by maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities. These maintenance organisations can either operate independently or be affiliated with major OEMs. The BBGA membership effectively represents all these activities.
The service industry behind this whole process includes legal, insurance, training, and financial facilities together with ground operations, fuelling, advanced technology, and research. Many of these organisations are members of the BBGA. These activities are central to aircraft ownership and are vital to enabling smooth aircraft transactions and supporting a rapidly evolving global market.
To ensure that members’ opinions are heard, we make use of several workgroups that are led by members themselves. Those workgroups are Flight Operations, Fixed Based Operators, Sustainability, Membership/events, and Airworthiness. To help focus our activities we have a board of directors elected by our members, each director serving a three-year term. We encourage a turnover in our board members to ensure a fresh perspective wherever possible.
The organisation undertakes its work on behalf of the members using a virtual office concept having transitioned from a physical locating two years ago. Our systems are now fully web-based, and all our services are delivered using modern technology, which offers great flexibility to both members and the secretariat.
The BBGA collaborates with the EBAA through a formal agreement to ensure that UK based organisations are represented by a UK based association, while also gaining the additional benefits of working with a major European association.
The BBGA works with the European Council of General Aviation Support (ECOGAS) to maintain a seat at the table with EASA to help shape legislation. This approach effectively ensures that the legislation adopted in the UK is well-suited and undergoes appropriate adjustments before being implemented under the ANO.