Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Air Transportation space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Michael Skou Christensen
General Director, Asia of Satcom Direct
Michael Skou Christensen has 10 years of experience with satellite communications within the private aviation industry. In 2013, Christensen lead the opening of SD’s Australasia office, where he acted as Managing Director until 2016. He is now the Vice President for SD International, where he is responsible for establishing and growing the sales, support, marketing and training presence across the international business. His various roles throughout his time in aviation has seen him involved with many different parts of the value chain, from OEMs, completion centers and end-customers. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and a master’s degree in International Management.
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About Satcom Direct, Satcom Direct: Satcom Direct is the preferred aeronautical connectivity solution for flight deck and cabin communications serving business, military.
Gerry Skelton
Human Resources Director of NATS
Gerry has over 20 years’ experience as an HR practitioner across a range of industries within the UK and internationally. The industry sectors he has experience in include: rail freight, electronics, textiles, retailing, passenger transport and the gas, oil and petroleum sectors.
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About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Simon Warr
Communication Director of NATS
Formerly, he was Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Jaguar Land Rover. During his three years at Jaguar Land Rover he led a global team of 80 and was responsible for all company internal and external communications, as well as reputation and issue management with all stakeholders. Simon is a former journalist and a former Vice President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
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About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Martin Rolfe
Managing Director of NATS
Previously Martin worked for Lockheed Martin where he was Managing Director of the UK Civil business. Martin has worked in the air traffic management domain for 18 years leading large multinational teams across Europe, the US, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Far East, with customers including air navigation service providers, central government departments and military organisations.
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About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Catherine Masan
Managing Director Service of NATS
Catherine previously worked for Translink Group where she was Group Chief Executive. She has extensive transportation, commercial and logistical experience through previous Director level roles in operations and marketing with Arriva, in both the bus and rail business. This followed a career in marketing for a number of blue chip companies, including Grand Metropolitan and SmithKline Beecham. Catherine is a Chartered Director and a Chartered Marketer, a Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and an elected Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She holds a BSc in Genetics from Liverpool University and an MBA from Henley Management College.
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About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Nigal Forthery
Finance Director of NATS
He led the Finance team through the transition to PPP (2001) and, following the events of 9/11, the financial restructuring and refinancing of NERL in 2003. In addition to his current responsibilities for finance, Nigel leads NERL’s economic regulatory team and represented the company in the economic regulator’s review of NERL’s charges for Control Period 3. Previously, he worked for Lex Service plc as Finance Director of its retail group and then for BT Cellnet, where he was Deputy Finance Director. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
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About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
James Butler
Finance Director of Dnata
James is responsible for all finance functions, as well as strategy and business planning. His experience in a variety of companies of different sizes has given him the perfect skill set needed for the unique challenges facing Surf Air and other companies looking to capitalize on new markets.
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About Dnata: Dnata is an air services provider.
Tim Coombs
Managing Director of Aviation Economics
Tim is the MD of Aviation Economics our consultancy brand and has worked in aviation ever since leaving university, which was a long time ago……..so he has a vast amount of experience in the industry! He runs a team of talented industry professionals who understand the industry end-to-end. Outside of work, Tim likes spending time with Nelson, his black Labrador (who sometimes visits the team at RDC HQ), and of course the rest of his family.
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About Aviation Economics, RDC Aviation: Aviation Economics is a consulting firm that works with aviation enterprises, including government agencies, airlines, and airports.
Richard Holt
Director of Aviation Economics
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About Aviation Economics, RDC Aviation: Aviation Economics is a consulting firm that works with aviation enterprises, including government agencies, airlines, and airports.
Lee Kelsey
Sales Director of Farsound
Lee Kelsey is the sales director at Farsound Aviation.
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About Farsound: Farsound provides consumable component parts for the aerospace engine sector.
Jonathan Medhurst
Procurement Director of Farsound
Jonathan Medhurst is the procurement director at Farsound Aviation.
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About Farsound: Farsound provides consumable component parts for the aerospace engine sector.
David Skinner
Managing Director of Farsound
David Skinner is the managing director at Farsound Aviation.
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About Farsound: Farsound provides consumable component parts for the aerospace engine sector.
Nigel Daniel
Managing Director of S-P-S
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About S-P-S: S-P-S is a European airport service provider that develops, manufactures, and maintains ground support and cargo handling equipment.
