Dave Edwards appointed as BACA CEO

BACA - The Air Charter Association makes a series of appointments to drive the ambitious development of the Association

Dave Edwards has been appointed to the role of BACA CEO. The part-time appointment is part of BACA’s strategy to drive the Association forward. In addition to Edwards’ appointment, Madeleine Puzey has been promoted to the role of Business and Events Manager and a new administration role has been created which sees Nicki Baynes providing key support to the Association.

BACA has embarked upon an ambitious strategy to increase value to its members and to represent the air charter broking market in the aviation sector.  The initial success of these developments has seen a number of projects commenced and delivered, and BACA has now created a platform from which to really drive forwards.  The BACA Council is populated with volunteers, many of whom have busy day jobs.  It is therefore an important step for the Association to appoint executive support to help increase the pace of change.

Known widely throughout the industry, Edwards has had an outstanding career in aviation and is an active director and investor in Synergy Aviation Ltd, Oaklands Global Ltd, Flying Support Ltd and Web Manuals International AB, which he will continue to do alongside his new role at BACA.  He has led Qatar Executive, the business aviation division of Qatar Airways, and was the Managing Director, Middle East and Asia, and Group General Manager at Gama Aviation. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to the new CEO role. The appointment was announced at the BACA autumn Awards lunch and Edwards will start the role with effect from Monday 23rd October.

Speaking about his appointment Edwards said “The opportunity to join BACA and help to reenergise its role at the heart of the air charter broking industry is one I found difficult to turn down.  BACA is a very diverse organisation, well known for its industry networking events, but increasingly it’s revisiting its roots at the heart of the air charter broking world and investing significantly in conferences, in training, in parliamentary and regulatory authority representation and working hard for the interests of its members and the larger broking community in its widest sense.  With the support of a very keen and enthusiastic Council I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of using my experience, alongside my existing roles within the heart of the aviation industry, to develop our Association further on its future strategy to bring added value and additional support to our members.

BACA Chairman Richard Mumford added “I am delighted to welcome Dave Edwards to this key role within the Association. He has been appointed to help drive the Association forward, and to deliver on a number of key projects that BACA has in progress.  It has been a fantastic year for BACA, with record membership and a range of successful events, including our first co-branding of ACE at London Biggin Hill.  This proves the potential of BACA to grow, and this appointment really gives us the resource to do so.  By appointing Dave, we also have someone who can harness the Council to ensure that the depth of skills and experience among us are properly employed to the benefit of BACA.  For these reasons, I am sure that the creation of the CEO role, together with the other appointments we have made, will prove to be a major step forward for BACA.”

BACA, the Worldwide Association of Air Charter Professionals is the world’s largest air charter organisation.  Formed in 1949 and closely associated with the Baltic Exchange, BACA delivers a wide range of aviation expertise throughout the air charter industry.  The Associations purpose is to ensure that all companies involved in aircraft chartering meet high standards of integrity and professionalism. With corporate membership now in excess of 220 companies, BACA is recognised as the voice of the air charter industry by many official aviation bodies and government departments. Its members include air charter brokers, aircraft operators, airports, handling agents and many other aviation related companies. BACA member companies generated €4.2BN Turnover in 2014 and operated 126,000 flights using 1152 airports, connecting 146 countries and over 25,000 city pairs around the world. BACA Member companies employ 6,751 people. BACA also offers a series of training days and networking events for its members to enjoy throughout the year.                                                                  

Contact -  PR@baca.org.uk   www.baca.org.uk