Post published:26/04/2018
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:3 mins read

HUNT & PALMER PLC ACQUIRES AIRCRAFT CHARTERING SERVICES LTD

Crawley, Thursday, 19 April 2018
As a sign of further natural consolidation in the air charter business, Hunt & Palmer PLC (H&P) are pleased to announce the acquisition of the entire shares in Aircraft Chartering Services Ltd upon the retirement of the founder Mark Hugo.

Aircraft Chartering Services Ltd (ACS Ltd, – not to be confused with the business jet operator Air Charter Scotland) was started in May 1986, coincidentally just a few weeks before H&P was formed. Over the years ACS Ltd established a diversified client base consisting of world-renowned orchestras, government departments, niche tour operators and various corporations.

The entire staff from the sole ACS Ltd office in Epsom, Surrey have now relocated to the iconic H&P office “The Tower” in Crawley, West Sussex.

Mark Hugo commented, “My decision to invite H&P to acquire ACS Ltd was simple because I knew Peter and Jeremy had built a business that shares my professional values and responsibilities to my clients, staff and suppliers.”

Jeremy Palmer said, “Peter and I have known Mark for over 40 years and always enjoyed great mutual respect. We consider it a privilege to be entrusted with Mark’s life’s work and look forward to further developing the ACS Ltd business as it very neatly complements H&P’s existing lines of commercial aviation, business jets, cargo charters and music tours. The ACS Ltd purchase mirrors our earlier acquisition of the music tour specialist Premier Aviation (UK) Ltd which has consistently produced a significant contribution to the H&P Group.”

– ends –

For more information about Hunt & Palmer contact:

Neil Harvey
Tel +44 1293 558000
or visit www.huntandpalmer.com

Notes to Editors: Hunt & Palmer PLC was established in 1986 and is one of the most respected providers of aircraft charter and travel solutions globally. Our client portfolio is wide ranging and includes private clients, corporate entities, government bodies and NGOs. Headquartered in the UK, the Hunt & Palmer group of companies has offices and partners covering the globe.

Unaudited 2017 results from offices in the UK, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA show a Hunt & Palmer Group turnover of GBP 47 million. (excludes ACS 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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