BBGA highlights the future generation at annual conference

Monday 25th February 2019

How aviation jobs will evolve in the future and the need to foster new talent will be the focus of the British Business General Aviation (BBGA’s) Annual Conference and AGM on Thursday, 7^th March at Luton Hoo Hotel, UK.

Titled ‘Tomorrow’s People Today,’ it picks up on last year’s ‘Tomorrow’s World Today’ technology theme. “This year we focus on the people who will drive our industry forward, against a background of critical pilot and engineer shortage, through to multi-decade independent business owners looking to future proof their companies,” said Marc Bailey, BBGA CEO.

BBGA is duly pleased to have secured guest speaker Geoff Mulgan, CEO of NESTA, an Innovation Charity, who will discuss ‘Working in the age of longevity.’   Geoff will lift the lid on the implications for future working lives for both employees and employers, as more and more people extend their retirement age.

“We are facing a democratic cliff edge when it comes to securing suitably qualified personnel to fill vacancies in the future,” Marc added.

A panel session on ‘Inspiring the New Generation,’ headed by All Parliamentary Group STEM Chair, Karen Spencer, will feature trainees from the newly inaugurated technical / aeronautical Stansted Airport College, part of Harlow College.

Meanwhile, Andy O’Shea, Head of Training and Recruitment at Ryanair will address how technology is changing the requirements for future pilots.

Afternoon sessions will cover slots and access with Airport Coordination CEO Edmond Rose; Nelson Pereira, Head of Slots at NetJets Europe and James Dillon-Godfray, Head of Business Development, London Oxford Airport, moderated by Jason Hayward, General Manager at Universal Aviation.

The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, as head of the now over 200-strong member All Party Parliamentary Group for General Aviation, will highlight the important contribution business aviation fulfils in the UK, a Segway to the inevitable Brexit debate.  This will be chaired by Aoife O’Sullivan, Partner at The Air Law Firm, with Richard Moriarty; UK CAA CEO; Mike Alcock, Head of Aviation Strategy at DfT; Alex Durrand, CEO of SaxonAir and Athar Kahn, newly appointed Secretary General at EBAA, making his UK speaker debut. 

After outlining BBGA’s achievements over the past 12 months and sharing the Association’s recommendations on the DfT’s Future of Aviation Strategy Green paper, the day will conclude with a Networking Gala Dinner at Luton Hoo’s Mansion House.  Guest speaker is Capt Catherine (Cat) Burton, STEM Ambassador and Diversity Champion.  Cat is revered as British Airways’  most senior woman pilot, having first flown Vickers Viscount turboprops with Cambrian Airways in 1972.   She has flown every Boeing aircraft since the B737-200, as well as the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.

Around 150 delegates are expected. A few places are still available.  Please book here www.bbga.aero  or contact Rachael Paskin at rachael.paskin@bbga.aero

Editor’s note

BBGA is the UK’s national trade body representing business and general aviation.  Now in its 45th year, (formerly known as GAMTA) its member companies span all facets of the business aviation sector.  BBGA is headed by Chairman Marwan Khalek and CEO Marc Bailey. It represents 170-plus companies, including airports, corporate flight departments, operators, aviation services organisations and aircraft manufacturers.  In a partnership with EBAA, all members of BBGA enjoy dual membership of both associations, similarly any UK based organisation seeking to join EBAA do so via BBGA.  BBGA is based at Dorton, Aylesbury, Bucks.