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Management Team & Board

Management Team & Board

Kevin Ducksbury

Kevin Ducksbury

Chairman

Glenn Hogben

Glenn Hogben

Chief Executive

Julie Black

Julie Black

Deputy Chair / Membership Group Chair

Madeleine Field

Madeleine Field

General Manager Operations

Chris Adams

Chris Adams

Membership Executive

Julie Ellis

Julie Ellis

Training Manager

Alex Golubtsov

Alex Golubtsov

Communications Executive

Mary Proctor

Mary Proctor

Administrative Assistant

Alana Burns

Alana Burns

Board Member

Dave Connor

Dave Connor

Board Member / Industry Affairs Group Chair

Irena Deville

Irena Deville

Board Member

Steve Downing

Steve Downing

Board Member

Garrett Grossberg

Garrett Grossberg

Board Member

Captain Nigel Harris

Captain Nigel Harris

Board Member

Ilaria Iacobini

Ilaria Iacobini

Board Member

Christopher Mace

Christopher Mace

Board Member / Sustainability & Innovation Group Chair

Marcus Manning

Marcus Manning

Board Member

Tim Procter

Tim Procter

Board Member

Emily Williams

Emily Williams

Board Member

Robert Walters

Robert Walters

Board Member

Derek Thomson

Derek Thomson

Advisory Panel Member

Nick Weston

Nick Weston

Advisory Panel Member

Bernhard Fragner

Bernhard Fragner

Advisory Panel Member

Kevin Ducksbury

Kevin Ducksbury

Chairman

Kevin Ducksbury has 30 years’ experience in the charter industry. His career started with Monarch Airlines, based at Luton, which saw him work in a variety of roles from Crew Controller, Commercial Planner to Ad-hoc Sales Executive in the company’s commercial division.

After 11 years at Monarch in a variety of roles Kevin made the leap into charter broking as a commercial aircraft junior broker for the then Air London (now Air Partner). There he again moved into a number of broker roles before entering into the management side of the business, which saw him promoted to the company’s Operating Board as Director of Middle East & Asia based in Dubai.

After leaving Air Partner and returning to the UK in 2012, Kevin set up his own aviation consultancy and management services company, Emerge Aviation, working with a wide range of companies involved in the aircraft charter 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.

Returning to Air Partner in 2021 Kevin now holds the position of Head of Aircraft Leasing, Operations and Compliance for the Air Partner Group. In March 2020 Kevin was elected as Chairman of The Air Charter Association.

 

Glenn Hogben

Glenn Hogben

Chief Executive

Glenn has over 18 years of experience in aircraft charter, leasing and management.  His career in aviation started when he joined ACC Aviation in 2004 and he was instrumental in helping the company grow and become one of the top 5 global aircraft brokerages.

He has worked on a wide variety of leasing and air charter projects all around the world. Initially becoming a successful ACMI leasing broker he then lead the diversification of ACC Aviation into the adhoc and corporate charter markets.

Glenn built a wealth of knowledge across all areas of the aviation business, from his hands-on commercial brokering experience to being part of the management team who carried out an equity backed MBO of the company.

Prior to his aviation career, Glenn gained a BA Honours degree from the University of London in History and Geography and held roles in a major utilities provider and a retail company.

He is a family man, with a love for the outdoors, spending some of his free time as a commissioned officer, putting the Army cadets through their paces.

Glenn, having joined The Air Charter Association in 2008, has been a supporter of the important role the association has in the future of the industry and was elected to the Board in 2017. He has chaired the Training and Events Committee, played a key role in creating of the Broker Qualification course and was elected as Deputy Chair in 2020 prior to taking on his current role as Chief Executive in 2021.

Julie Black

Julie Black

Deputy Chair / Membership Group Chair

Julie Black has been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years, starting her aviation career as a graduate in the marketing department of 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, as well as marketing and PR, alongside working with the RAF to establish the Northolt Jet Centre as a sister business.

Her career took a new direction in 2003 when Julie joined Chapman Freeborn, where in time she took the reins of the UK VIP / Executive team, overseeing a diverse range of charter projects, including head of state flights and global music tours. Julie’s latest role is as Head of the UK based Executive Charter team at Hunt & Palmer, overseeing a busy team of brokers with a credible corporate client base on worldwide charter projects.

Julie joined the The Air Charter Association Council in 2015.  She is also a busy mother of twin daughters who enjoys reading, music, creative writing and writing for trade publications and loves the travel opportunities that a job in aviation brings! In 2019 Julie was delighted to be elected as Deputy Chair for the Association in its 70th year.

Madeleine Field

Madeleine Field

General Manager Operations

Madeleine Field has more than 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry, starting her career as a trainee charter broker for International Air Charter. She was quickly promoted to the position of Charter Sales Manager, managing a team of brokers and working with a diverse range of clients, arranging charters from small business trips to complex international tours and government flights.

After ten years and a short career break, Madeleine moved on to boutique broker company Aviation Charter where she managed key corporate accounts and worked part time for eight years, while juggling the role of mum to two boys.

In 2014 Madeleine was offered a position with the Association to work alongside the existing Council, growing the membership and events.

During her time with The ACA Madeleine has seen many changes and substantial growth and development in the association, with new events including an EBACE after-party and collaboration with Business Air News and London Biggin Hill Airport to co-organise Air Charter Expo (ACE).

In 2023 Madeleine was promoted from Business & Events Manager to General Manager Operations.

Madeleine has a passion for aviation and really enjoys being part of such an exciting industry, looking forward to the association’s future plans, one of which is to inspire the Next Generation.

Chris Adams

Chris Adams

Membership Executive

Chris Adams comes into aviation following a successful 11 years in the travel industry, most recently selling adventure travel and round the world itineraries for Exodus Travels. This role took him to many far-flung places, from trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, to coming face to face with Gorillas in Rwanda, and everything in between. He was also responsible for delivering the Polar Expeditions programme for two years from 2019.  Chris is excited to get started in his new role with The ACA and is our newest team member, having joined in September 2021 as Membership Executive. He will be focused on growing the membership and expanding its existing international footprint and developing relationships and support for current members. A keen sports and outdoors enthusiast, Chris was a dedicated footballer, playing at many levels throughout his life and also enjoys cricket, regularly attending matches throughout the summer months.

 

Julie Ellis

Julie Ellis

Training Manager

Julie Ellis has been in the aviation industry for over 22 years. Her career started in the Communications department of aircraft manufacturer ATR in Toulouse before she moved to the UK. There, she became an aircraft spares broker with AJ Walter Aviation Ltd looking after a customer base of French airlines and dealing with AOGs. In 2000, Julie joined Air Partner plc as a Private Jet broker, which remained her speciality for the following 20 years. Within that time, Julie developed a loyal customer base and got involved in a wide variety of missions including helicopter flights, medical repatriations, Royal flights and roadshows. She enjoyed training and mentoring new brokers and was also a key member of the JetCard team from its inception. Julie joined the Air Charter Association in 2022 and is looking forward to developing its Training division further. Outside of work, Julie enjoys reading, singing, walking with her husband and two daughters and exploring yoga and Sophrology – of which she is a qualified practitioner.

 

Alex Golubtsov

Alex Golubtsov

Communications Executive

Since graduating in 2019 Alex has worked for several companies in the business sector, focused primarily on marketing, business development, and tech recruitment. In his most recent role with Geo20 Alex was responsible for building and managing relationships with a range of clients across the UK and EU markets in Fintech, mobility, and cybersecurity, including FTSE100 firms. Alex set a record for the fastest deal as a new starter as well as the fastest to complete three deals.

Having joined The ACA in July 2023 Alex is keen to build his knowledge of the air charter sector and excited to help deliver on the association’s objectives in key areas such as compliance, innovation, sustainability and member engagement.

Alex is passionate about current affairs, achieving a BA (Honours) in Politics and an MA in International Relations. In his personal time Alex can be found reading political journals, travelling and playing rugby for his boyhood club Old Caterhamians.

Mary Proctor

Mary Proctor

Administrative Assistant

Mary Proctor has worked for a number of manufacturing businesses, with the majority of her working life spent within their Export Divisions.  She worked for an emergency lighting and fire alarm company, firstly as an Export Secretary, before progressing to run the export shipping section of the business, working with distributors and sister companies across the globe. She then took on a similar role, working for a well-known toiletries business, ensuring that shipments were packaged and shipped along with the relevant paperwork to customers worldwide. Mary continued within the export sector, working for a multi-national plastic components business, leading their Export Customer Service, shipping and business development team. Whilst taking a career break to spend time at home with her young son, Mary started a successful Family Lifestyle Blog and has had the opportunity to work with clients from numerous commercial sectors, and indulge her passion for photography. Mary brings a wealth of administrative skills to her role and is looking forward to learning more about the charter aviation industry with The Air Charter Association.

Alana Burns

Alana Burns

Board Member

Alana Burns has been in the aviation industry for almost 20 years. Coming from a private banking background, Alana joined Atlas Helicopters in 2003 in Operations, to help improve Customer Service levels and increase the high-net-worth client base. In 2007, she became General Manager for Atlas Helicopters and helped drive the company forward to become one of the leading charter companies in the UK. In 2019 Alana took on the role of Safety Manager and in 2020 was promoted to Operations Director. With the helicopter charter industry being relatively small within the UK, Alana is a firm believer in collaboration with other helicopter charter companies, working towards improving not only service levels but also safety.

When not working, Alana enjoys travelling, especially with her two boys, paddle boarding and walking with her dog.

 

Dave Connor

Dave Connor

Board Member / Industry Affairs Group Chair

Dave Connor is the Managing Director of RVL Group, a specialist aviation services provider and aircraft operator. RVL works on behalf of and with private and public sector organisations on aerial survey and surveillance, scheduled air cargo as well as a range of ad hoc and go now charter activities. Dave has worked in aviation for over 14 years and has held a number of regulatory posts. He is a specialist in commercial and business development, marketing, and air operations management.

In 2019 he received his MBA with Distinction and the Dean’s Award, from the University of Hertfordshire, having studied part-time. Dave has completed the CBI’s Executive Leadership Programme which involved experiential learning about business engagement and influencing policy within Government, both in the UK, Europe and US. Dave is a Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers, an active livery investing in young people with a focus on the aerospace and automotive sectors.

Dave has a passion for aviation, and is keen to promote the Air Charter Association and its members, to help the industry navigate safely and successfully through the current crisis. He supports the Association’s core focus to ensure professional standards are maintained throughout the air charter sector.

Irena Deville

Irena Deville

Board Member

After spending over a decade in business aviation, in 2020, Irena moved her efforts to connecting business aviation with the emerging eVTOL and drone space. Alongside other business interests, she is currently working with Lilium to bring eVTOL aircraft into private ownership and therefore into the sphere of Business Aviation as well as overseeing a strategic business aviation partnership.

Irena started her career at Netjets Europe in corporate sales and business strategy functions prior to leading European business aviation consolidation as head of strategic development at Gama Aviation. She also co-founded a procurement start-up serving European operators.

Now based in Germany, Irena majors on quality time with her family. She lives in the Bavarian countryside with her husband and two children as well as a host of pets.

Steve Downing

Steve Downing

Board Member

A member of the then Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) since 1997 and elected to the council in February 2009, Steve Downing brings to the association over 25 years’ experience in the aviation industry together with extensive experience of working with clients across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, mining, construction and manufacturing, as well as humanitarian relief agencies. He is accomplished at setting and executing growth strategies, leading and motivating teams and working at a senior level with clients and internal stakeholders.

Steve was responsible for the commercial & strategic development of the Engineering and Logistics division at Volga Dnepr UK Ltd from March 2010 until May 2018. Prior to joining the company, Steve held a number of senior management positions within the F.H. Bertling Group. Most recently, Steve was Director of Group Air Charters & General Manager of BOSS Cargo, roles which saw him take responsibility for operations and strategic business development in the international air charter, freight forwarding and project logistics sectors.

Garrett Grossberg

Garrett Grossberg

Board Member

Garrett Grossberg has been in the private aviation industry for over 10 years and is the Director of Operations for Unity Jets, a private jet brokerage out of Miami, Florida USA. After graduating from the University of Miami, he joined the firm in 2011 and has been a big contributor to its growth over the years. Garrett has always had a passion for aviation, but never dreamt of the day-to-day that he currently has — arranging private jet travel for a sizeable book of clients, ranging from corporate executives and major universities to world-renowned musicians on tour. He loves solving problems for clients and building long-lasting relationships. The little things do matter.

Garrett lives with his wife and baby girl in Delray Beach, South Florida. When he is not working, Garrett loves listening to music, going to the beach, and spending time with his family and friends. He is very active in the community and is a strong advocate for The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 

Captain Nigel Harris

Captain Nigel Harris

Board Member

Born in the United Kingdom in 1946 and married with one daughter, Nigel has lived on Montserrat for more than 25 years.

Following a successful period in Sales and Marketing Management with multinational companies, Nigel obtained his Airline Pilots Licence in 1979 and then went on to become the General Manager of Royal Jordanian Airlines based in Amman, Jordan.

In 1983 Nigel formed the London Flight Centre Group, initially owning four flying schools, and an air taxi company.  As the business developed, the company grew into a Regional Airline, operating turbo prop aircraft as a franchisee for Regional Airlines, a part of Air France.

Nigel has logged some 20,000+ hours of flying experience, is a UK flight examiner, and has nearly forty years experience of managing, owning and operating Regional Airlines throughout the World.  Nigel sits on many prestigious committees, and has been twice Chairman of The Air Charter Association.  Nigel is a Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots, Master Pilot, and has the Freedom of the City of London.  He sits on Government advisory committees on Aviation.

During 1989 Nigel and his wife Shelley formed Montserrat Airways [trading as FlyMontserrat} with two Islander aircraft, operating scheduled services and charter flights throughout the Caribbean.  The company today has three Islanders and still operates from Montserrat with scheduled and charter flights, as well as providing a vital air ambulance service for the Islands.

FlyMontserrat operates under the gold standard United Kingdom Regulator with a UK Air Operators Certificate.  It is well resourced and wishes to expand further into the Region with more niche scheduled routes.  The company is actively looking for new business opportunities.

Nigel has an established Air Charter Broker business, specialising in the Caribbean.

Ilaria Iacobini

Ilaria Iacobini

Board Member

Ilaria Iacobini has an international aviation experience, having started her career 15 years ago in Rome, Italy and is currently living in the UK.

Previously Deputy Station Manager for Universal Aviation at Rome Ciampino, her current role is as Ground Handling Sales Manager EMEA for Universal Aviation, the ground handling division for Universal Weather and Aviation headquartered in Houston, Texas. This position includes expanding the ground handling business with new and existing clients.

Ilaria particularly enjoys working not just with Universal’s European FBOs but with the wider network in APAC and Latin America. This gives her the opportunity to expand her knowledge of different regulations and environments and also gives her the chance to use different languages, which she still studies to remain proficient.

Ilaria is a strong believer in team work and has a passion for learning, with both sales and operational focus.

When not travelling back home to Rome or cooking Italian food, Ilaria enjoys spinning, zumba and salsa dancing.

Christopher Mace

Christopher Mace

Board Member / Sustainability & Innovation Group Chair

Chris is the owner of MaceAero, a central London based private aviation sales, charter and asset management company.  MaceAero has its own aircraft portfolio for both charter and sales, alongside providing solutions for prospective owners and sellers of aircraft and helicopters in the business aviation sector.

Having started flying from an early age, Chris gained his pilot’s licence at the age of just 17 and has spent over 25 years in the aviation industry. He initially started up a flying school and air taxi business before going on to manage the largest onshore helicopter operator of its time, subsequently setting up SaxonAir with the backing of a local business entrepreneur in 2007.  Chris helped steer SaxonAir through 12 years of growth to establish as one of the UK’s leading air charter and management operators, holding both fixed-wing and rotary AOCs, as well as establishing an FBO and dedicated offshore logistical centre for the energy industry in East Anglia.

Chris has a passion for aviation and is a strong believer in collaboration within the industry to bring the message of air charter’s value to business and the economy, not just as a perceived luxury showcase.  Chris also chairs the Air Charter Association’s own Sustainability & Innovation Group, and in his spare time he enjoys running and sport and lives in Battersea, a short walk from the office at the London Heliport.

 

Marcus Manning

Marcus Manning

Board Member

Marcus Manning is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has sat at board level since 2001.

Marcus has over 33 years of experience in the aviation industry, for a variety of airlines, airline caterers, logistic companies, ACMI and charter brokers. Companies have ranged from Virgin Atlantic Airways; jointly starting his own airline, Astraeus; consulting around the world with companies such as Kuwait Airways, LSG Sky Chefs and Caribbean Airlines; to working in Switzerland for PrivatAir and returning to the UK to work for Chapman Freeborn.

Marcus enjoys golf and has a passion for travel and along with his family they always look forward to visiting new people and places around the world.

Tim Procter

Tim Procter

Board Member

Tim went straight from school in 1976, armed with three A-levels and scribbled lists of aircraft registrations, to Dan-Air selling charters to the brokers on Comets, BAC 1-11s and Boeing 727s. He was sent on training detachments around the airline including Gatwick Operations, Handling in Berlin Tegel, HS748 Ops in Aberdeen & Sumburgh and then assistant Station Manager Manchester.

He returned to Dan-Air’s head office in 1982 to head-up HS748 commercial, again selling charters but to a whole new set of brokers who had previously only chartered jets! It was highly successful in both the passenger and freight ad-hoc charter market.

Gamekeeper then became poacher as Tim moved in 1984 from the airline business to the venerable broker Instone Air Transport in the City of London, experiencing the other side of chartering. It was a great learning experience and was recruited in 1986 by Air London, now Air Partner, to be in charge of twelve (large jet) brokers. He went on to be appointed to the Board as Sales Director of the first aircharter broker in the world to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

A return to the large airliner market came about in 1993 when he was taken on by Caledonian Airways, under their parent Inspirations Holidays, to run a new venture; Air Charter Travel Ltd as its MD. By 1997 this had grown to be an independent and thriving broker at Gatwick enjoying significant success in the large airline charter market.

After some forty years in aircraft chartering from both the Operator and Broker perspective, in 2015 it was time to let the youngsters take the helm as it had been a rewarding experience to see them progress. However, never one to forget his roots, “2Excel Broadsword” accepted him to join their new activity in chartering two VIP Boeing 737s with 62 business class seats.

In his spare time Tim is an avid cyclist, often seen on the roads around Kent where he lives, although he has to confess that his bike is, in fact, electric.

Emily Williams

Emily Williams

Board Member

Emily Williams has spent almost 20 years in the private aviation industry. After graduating from Cambridge University she began her career in advertising at Ogilvy & Mather. It was a natural progression on to Sales and Emily’s aviation career began at NetJets Europe a few years later,  shortly after the merger with Marquis Jet Europe. She spent ten happy years there, leading the UK team and latterly as the Board Sales Director for the European business. With a strong focus on delivering the customer’s needs and wants, balanced with the rigorous Berkshire Hathaway ten year planning process, it was an excellent grounding for starting a business.

In 2015 Emily joined forces with her former NetJets colleague, Nicolas Imrie, and they founded IW Aviation. IWA provides totally independent private aviation advice and works with a range of customers from private individuals to global PLCs. The IWA team provides full analysis of their client’s aviation needs and then go on to manage a portfolio solution of day to day flying ranging from ad hoc charter, through to fractional contracts with all the major providers and on to whole aircraft ownership.

When not glued to her computer, Emily is a keen amateur horse rider and manages a menagerie of horses, a husband and two young girls.

Robert Walters

Robert Walters

Board Member

Robert Walters today is the Business Development Director for London Biggin Hill Airport, responsible for growing the airport’s business in all areas. His roles are focused mainly at the user end of the business making sure the airport has the facilities and infrastructure it needs to generate new business and continue to grow in to one of the busiest and most diverse business airports in Europe. Previously Robert headed up Northolt Handling, a business set up to run a contract that Biggin Hill Airport was awarded in 2001 for 5 years. Prior to this Robert worked in the City of London, for a small Lloyds Insurance Broker specialising in Marine and Aviation Reinsurance.

Derek Thomson

Derek Thomson

Advisory Panel Member

Derek Thomson is the Commercial Director and Accountable Manager for Air Charter Scotland Europe. He has more than 25 years’ aviation experience, working in rotary and fixed wing aircraft operations and sales, as well as FBO airport handling and operations.

During his time at Air Charter Scotland Derek has been involved in the transition from piston twin aircraft and turboprops, to today’s all jet fleet, ranging from the Citation M2 through to the Falcon 7X. With a now fully worldwide operation, Derek recently took over the role of Accountable Manager for the company’s new European AOC.

He has always had a passion for aviation and took his first solo flight in a helicopter at the age of 19, before going on to obtain his fixed wing Private Pilot’s Licence.

 

Nick Weston

Nick Weston

Advisory Panel Member

Nick started his aviation career in the Air Movements branch of the Royal Air Force in 1986 and commenced a career in civil aviation in 1992. After a number of management positions with airline ground handling agents, Nick joined TNT Aviation Services in the charter sales department in 1994 where his aircraft charter experience commenced.

Wanting to create a new aviation company to provide aircraft charter services, Nick launched Weston Air International in 1995. During his aircraft charter career, Nick noticed that there were a number of UK regional airports that did not have an FBO ground handling service and then in response to this, created in 2001 the wider company Weston Aviation that grew to incorporate five new Business Aviation Centres in the UK and Ireland at Newquay Cornwall Airport, Durham Tees Valley Airport, Humberside Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Cork Airport.

During his 30 year military and civil career, Nick has gained extensive experience in aircraft charter sales and leasing, executive and VIP ground handling, airline handling and airport operations and the movement of class one dangerous goods by air and the associated diplomatic clearance processes this specialist service requires.

Nick has been a member of The Air Charter Association since 1996 and joined the Council in 2016.

Bernhard Fragner

Bernhard Fragner

Advisory Panel Member

Bernhard Fragner is the CEO and founder of GlobeAir AG.

Bernhard graduated as a civil engineer in mechanical plant design from Vienna University and received an MBA in aviation management. In 1994 he obtained his PPL licence and holds an EASA Part FCL ATPL license, including instructor endorsement and a type rating examiner authorisation, clocking than 7,500 total flight hours. He is also trained in all JAR post holder management positions at JAAT in The Netherlands.

A passionate aviator himself, Bernhard is a strong believer in revolutionising short-haul travel, by applying an air taxi model, maximising aircraft utilisation and building strong IT support. With this in mind, it is not surprising that Austrian based GlobeAir, founded by Bernhard, was one of the first movers in the air taxi business, operating the world’s largest homogeneous fleet of Cessna Citation Mustangs since 2011. However, his main focus is on customer service and his personal mantra is ‘Passion into Profession’.

Bernhard has been a member of The Air Charter Association since November 2011 and joined the board of Directors of Citation Jets Pilots (CJP) in August 2014. In early 2000 Bernhard joined charity organisation Round Table Austria and was active in several board positions until 2012.

In his spare time, Bernhard enjoys mountain biking and hiking with his family in the Alps, and loves flying small planes. He currently resides in the countryside in upper Austria, with his wife Linda and their daughter.

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