Speakers
Benay has an MBA and a certificate in HR management. She is an HR leader, with over 15 years' experience in many HR functions, such as Organisational Development & Talent Management, Performance Management, Training & Development, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Internal Communication, Reward Management, Business Partnering, Employee Relations and Labour Law. Apart from the aviation sector, she has also contributed to the Insurance, Telecommunications, FMCG and Technology sectors in many HR functions. She has been working at Celebi Aviation since 2019, and amongst her roles is that of responsibility for the business partnership management of the Holding organisation.
Charl has over 13 years’ experience within the aviation industry, with a focus on the baggage handling operations sector, having worked at Swissport, Bahrain Airports Company and Qatar Aviation Services. During his tenure in various operational management roles, he has obtained a skill set in baggage handling management, baggage handling system management, passenger services management, ground handling operations and airport operations management. He is an avid golfer with a passion for sport.
Christina has been working with Aegean Airlines since 2004. She started in ground operations and has since occupied different positions within the company, among which was a year at Sofia airport as Station Manager, Middle East Regional Manager and Airport Services Manager. Currently she is in charge of Aegean’s contracts portfolio, being responsible for the ground handling and airport agreements of Aegean’s network. At the same time, she manages the ground handling invoice control team.
Former European Operations Director
Fujifilm
Colin started his career in the pharmaceutical industry and spent five years there before joining the surface coatings industry. He held several senior roles within the Technical, Quality and Operations functions during his nearly 40 years in the industry, prior to retiring as European Operations Director of Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems in July 2016. After spending 18 years in Operations Management at Sericol in Broadstairs Kent, Colin became Operations Director of Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems, shortly after the acquisition of the Sericol Company by Fujifilm in 2005. Colin led the transition of the Sericol operation from being a small privately owned ink manufacturer through various acquisitions by Burmah Castrol, BP and finally Fujifilm.
Desiree is a recognised expert in the aviation industry for her work with leadership teams and individuals on leadership and professional development. Prior to her 18 years in aviation, Desiree lived in Argentina, then Germany, before being relocated to the US in 2011. Desiree served as a senior leader in the aviation industry on a global level, leading multicultural customer excellence teams for some of the most recognised airlines, airports and service providers. During that time she witnessed first-hand the importance of leadership development. Desiree currently speaks on the importance of leadership development in an ever-changing aviation environment, with an increased focus on profitability, customer service and safety.
Edward has 17 years' experience within the aviation industry. He is knowledgeable in ground handling, cabin appearance, passenger services, station management and station start-ups/transitions, as well as corporate compliance and training. He has worked both on the airline and vendor side with several airlines and companies in the US. He also spent two years with the Transportation Security Administration. He is currently the Manager of Cabin Appearance for Qatar Aviation Services in Doha.
HR Director
dnata
James has over 20 years of aviation experience, focused on the air cargo sector, having worked at Lufthansa Cargo, AeroLogic, Qatar Airways, DHL Express and the International Air Transport Association. This period has provided him with various skill sets, including Aircraft Ground Operations, Global Station Management, Cargo Operational Management, Quality & Safety Management, Cargo Warehousing, Dangerous Goods and Product Management.
In 1981 Joachim joined Lufthansa as an apprentice. Between 1985 - 1989 he worked in aircraft maintenance, gaining licences on Boeing 707, 727, 737, DC10 and the Junkers Ju52. At end of 1989 he moved to Lufthansa Occupational Safety Flight Operations. Since 2020 Joachim has been additionally a liaison officer between the airline and the public health office in Frankfurt.
Max joined GHI in 2017 after launching and hosting conference and award events in the UK manufacturing industry. A trained journalist, Max strives to deliver innovative content on stage, online or in print that challenges, educates and entertains. As a non-aviation professional - Max is always eager to don the hi-vis jacket and get out on the apron to experience the everyday challenges facing ground handling businesses and their airline customers. Max graduated as a biochemist from Cardiff University in 2001. He became a NUJ/NCTJ accredited journalist in 2003. Max went on to an award-winning 14 year editorial career including stints at magazines in the UK pub, pharmacy and manufacturing sectors. Outside of work - Max is never far from a book, the fridge or the 5-a-side football pitch.
Wolfgang has more than 20 years of experience in aviation. He held numerous management positions in ramp handling, cargo and passenger handling. He finally set up a centralised load control company before he decided to move into consulting. A specific passion of his is how people behave and decide. This led him into game theory and the quest to apply it to the aviation industry.