Post published:29/11/2024
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:4 mins read

Hunt & Palmer has, for the second time, been awarded the accolade of Charter Operators’ Broker of the Year at The Air Charter Association’s annual awards, held on 21 November. The award, first introduced in 2022, recognises the value the brokerage community delivers in facilitating executive, commercial and cargo air charters.

Director of Executive Aviation Neil Harvey, who marks 30 years with Hunt & Palmer this year, accepted the award on behalf of the 60-plus employees of the Hunt & Palmer Group in the UK, USA, Asia and Australasia, from Alex Harrington, Commercial Director of category sponsor Titan Airways at Brighton’s Hilton Metropole Hotel, attended by nearly 500 industry peers.

“We are delighted to be recognised in this category and for the second time,” said Neil Harvey. “Coming from ACA’s member operators from all over the world this is recognition indeed. The Hunt & Palmer and Premier Aviation broking and support teams place real value on the open and honest relationships we enjoy with our operating partners, which form the basis of this success.”

Neil paid tribute to the brokers who have joined Hunt & Palmer and Premier Aviation over the past 18 months. Each one has played a significant part in this success.

Hunt & Palmer has been an active member of The Air Charter Association since 1986.

“The UK headquartered Air Charter Association is globally recognised by more than 400 member companies from over 50 countries around the world, comprising air charter brokers, business and private charter operators, commercial airlines, cargo operators, as well as many suppliers which support operators such as airports, FBO’s, trip support companies and similar. The ACA also has an international non-executive Board with new representation in the USA and Asia Pacific.

www.huntandpalmer.com

Editor’s Notes

Hunt & Palmer Group specialises in the charter of sole use aircraft across a broad spectrum of corporate, leisure, private, music touring and logistics market sectors. The Group comprises seven companies in the UK and overseas, headed by Hunt & Palmer PLC – including Hunt & Palmer Cargo Charters Ltd; Premier Aviation (UK) Ltd, Hunt & Palmer USA Inc; Hunt & Palmer Hong Kong Ltd; Hunt & Palmer PTY Ltd and Aircraft Chartering Services Ltd.

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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