Martyn Fiddler’s Key Takeaways From The BBGA Annual Conference and AGM 2025

The Martyn Fiddler team have been busy networking at the BBGA Annual Conference and AGM 2025. Our very own Heather Gordon, Legal Director shares her key take aways from the event.

The United Kingdom (UK) is doing really well and is dominant in Europe. Not a headline that you see every day but this was a key message from the BBGA’s Business Aviation Conference in London on Tuesday 11 March 2025.

The data to support the message was strong and well received by the packed out conference attendees. The atmosphere was buoyant and upbeat, and by the time Roger Black provided an inspirational presentation to round off the day, the room was positively glowing with an optimism many have not felt in years. Here are Martyn Fiddler’s top takeaways from the BBGA’s ‘Running Together’ conference:

The importance of London

“London is easily the key bizjet hub in Europe, and narrowly the most significant charter market”. This was just one of the insights from Richard Koe’s industry overview. Another, perhaps surprising statistic, was that the UK has the largest homebase for business aircraft in Europe with 310 aircraft in London – the predominance was ultra long range aircraft.

The news was less upbeat about the business aircraft based in the UK, many of them were not UK registered; in fact the G-register has seen decline in comparison to Malta and San Marino in the last five years. “Perception is a big thing” said Clyde & Co’s Mark Bisset when asked why the UK was losing out. Bisset explained the UK ‘does not come up in conversation’ when compared to registries which spend heavily on marketing.

However, the UK has big opportunities to increase its dominance in business aviation through its ability to showcase itself as the jurisdiction of choice for closings. Furthermore the current Government has the ability to build relationships with Europe to strengthen the UK’s position with EASA and create reciprocity in licensing and air rights.

Coal, combustion, cows and concrete

Known as the four C’s, the Carbon Almanac suggests coal, combustion, cows and concrete account to 70% of the climate change problem. Discussing these factors and more was an engaging panel led by James Hardie where it was noted that while the challenge of reducing business aviation’s carbon footprint is ‘daunting’, it is doable.

“Bridging the gap between innovation and reality is a key step in the process” said Maureen Gautier of 4Air when describing the four pillars of sustainability and the need to act with what we have now while considering what can be done in the future. Gautier noted “we have SAF right now and the decarbonisation effect is real”, however, her fellow panellist Dr Naomi Wise explained: “the challenge with SAF is to create a sufficiently stable platform in terms of policy, regulation and politics to absorb the shocks when geopolitics causes investors to wobble and worry”.

When asked about opportunities for the UK to leapfrog to the forefront of international innovation in sustainability and related business opportunities given the ‘drill baby brill’ rhetoric from across the Atlantic, the panel suggested “increased research and development funding, a sustainable electricity grid and collaboration with international allies” were all within the UK’s grasp. Hardie agreed with the panel’s suggestions and felt the UK was positioning itself with the opportunity to be a global leader in sustainability with business aviation as a leading example.

My perfect race

“I had always been a goal setter, but everything changed when my only goal became to run my perfect race”. Roger Black, Olympic athlete and inspirational speaker rounded off the day’s positivity with his incredible story of talent, hard work, mental perseverance, setting goals, self-belief and teamwork.

The audience were nearly on their feet watching a re-run of the 1991 Tokyo world championships where the British 400m relay team took gold from ‘sure-bet’ America. Describing the decision to put their fastest runner on the first leg (rather than last) on the relay, Black said “as a team, we together had the courage to change a winning formula because we could see a small change would enable the difference between excellence and outstanding”.

The united and optimistic spirit of an excellent day of presentations topped off by the inspirational Roger Black made this year’s BBGA conference an absolute standout.

Lindsey Oliver and her amazing team did a brilliant job and I am sure those who attended will be speaking about it for quite some time. Thank you Lindsey, Marc, Rachael, Sandra and the whole BBGA board!

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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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What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver