Lorna Titley

Director, Quaynote Communications

Julian Polderman

Registry Manager, 2 REG Aircraft Registry

Julian Polderman, Registry Manager for 2-REG Aircraft Registry (Guernsey). Managing teams in Amsterdam, Guernsey and Singapore.

With eight years of registry experience, Julian holds an Aviation degree from the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.

Julian has works with Private and Commercial jets as well as Lessor transitional Aircraft. He has experience with civilian aircraft ranging from SR20s to A380s.

With a passion for aviation, Julian is a member of several influential committees and has lent his expertise to various departments, granting invaluable expertise in each facet of the company’s operations.

Outside of their role, Julian remains committed to continuous development and staying on top of the industry trends and best practices. Julian lives and works in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Thomas Haymans

Director of Business Development, Jet Support Services, Inc

Richard Hekker

Founder & CEO, OPES JET Holdings Ltd

OPES JET was founded by Richard Hekker and Pascal Barreau. Both founders are commercial pilots and well-known veterans in the business aviation industry. 

As CEO of OPES JET, Richard leads the Company vision and product development. Prior to OPES JET, Richard was a commercial pilot who flew private jets in Europe. Most recently he was the group CEO and shareholder of Air Allgäu Group, Germany’s 3rd oldest airline. 

Before OPES JET, Richard has held many senior positions, including: 

• Chief Executive Officer, Excellent Air GmbH in Germany
• Business Development Director, MoonJet Flight Support, in Dubai
• Regional Director Europe, UAS International Trip Support, in Dubai
• Postholder & Director of Operations, Imperial Jet GmbH in Germany

Richard speaks 5 languages, has been married for nearly 20 years and is father to two teenage boys. 

Stephan Piazza

Advocate

Katrina Abela

VAIA Legal

Katrina founded Vaia Legal in 2021 after a number of years specializing in Maritime and Aviation Law, having graduated from the University of Malta in 2013. Experienced in yacht and aircraft sale and purchase transactions as well as ownership structures, customs importations and registration. Successfully assisted several companies in acquiring a Maltese Air Operator’s Certificate, as the key link between the applicant and local authorities, while also consulting on regulatory matters.

Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates, the Chamber of Commerce, Malta Business Aviation Association, Malta Maritime Law Association and the Advocacy Committee of the European Business Aviation Association.

Fiona Healy

Managing Director, FCF Assets

Fiona obtained her LLB in London. She spent some years in the Commercial Property division of McCann FitzGerald in Dublin before moving to a small private client firm in central Dublin. Whilst there she developed an interest in private international law, particularly in the field of aviation. She is currently Managing Director of FCF Assets Limited, a firm providing both legal and practical assistance to clients in obtaining a Maltese Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), as well as a broad array of other advisory services pertaining to sourcing, financing, importing, registering, and operating your business aircraft. The firm advises family offices on sourcing the right aircraft for their mission profile, registering the plane for optimal tax and operational flexibility, finding the right operator to suit specific personal and business needs, and obtaining the right financing at the lowest possible cost. Fiona speaks and participates regularly at aviation conferences worldwide. Fiona has contributed to a number of aviation journals, including preparing the Aircraft Registration Guide for Malta on behalf of the international publication Corporate Jet Investor. 

Andrea Zanetto

CEO, Comlux Aviation

Holding an academic degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Politecnico di Torino, he is an Italian citizen who started his career at Embraer – Brazil in 1987, as a design engineer.

He joined Eurofly at the start up in 1989 and he has run the technical department of the airline for over 13 years, developing a fleet of DC-9, MD-80, 767, A320 and A330. He was promoted Chief Operations Officer in February 2005. Highlights of the company achievements were the IPO and the launch of all-business service between Milano and New York with an ACJ319. Andrea Zanetto was part of the management team to merge Meridiana and Eurofly, becoming the COO of Meridiana fly.

In January 2011, he joined Comlux as CEO of Comlux Aviation, the VIP operator division of Comlux.

Joanne Goodall

TAG Aviation

With an extensive background in business aviation, Joanne has also worked for both commercial and cargo-based airlines in a variety of roles, beginning in 2007 as a Senior Account Manager and subsequently holding a series of executive positions that developed her global expertise. She joined TAG in 2017 as a Client Relationship Manager, having previously worked for a FBO/Maintenance Company in Basel, initially as FBO Sales Manager and then as deputy CEO. In 2019, she assumed the role of Director of Customer Services for TAG Aviation UK where she oversaw the Client Relationship Management (CRM) and Customer Service Representative (CSR) teams throughout Europe. In this role she also
implemented strategic enhancements and initiated plans for the company’s ongoing expansion. A keen aviator, Joanne holds a commercial helicopter pilot’s license.

In 2020, Joanne Goodall was appointed Chief Executive Officer of TAG Aviation Europe. Her leadership experience, management skills and business acumen are some of the assets that truly “make the difference” in building upon TAG’s unrivalled reputation and can be relied upon to steer the company towards a highly successful future.

Herve Laitat

Founder & CEO, JetHouse

Tonio Fenech LL.M. (Lond)., LL.D.

Senior Consultant, FFF Legal

Dr. Fenech has been a practicing lawyer for over 30 years, after qualifying in Malta and obtaining a Master Of Laws Degree from University of London. His areas of practice and study have evolved in line with the development and diversification of international services sector of the Maltese economy since the early 1990’s, originally focusing on asset finance, to gradually include the corporate commercial, corporate finance, fiduciary relationships, financial & investment services fields.

Dr. Fenech helped pioneer a more modern and effective organization of legal & professional services on the island, having led the creation and development of the international & corporate practice of Fenech & Fenech Advocates, now one of the larger organized practices in Malta. He served as managing partner of the firm from its organization as a partnership in 1991 until 2007, and also served as managing director of the Fenlex Group of Companies
throughout this time.

Dr. Fenech resigned from his family firm in 2008 to establish a new law firm under the name Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal in January 2009, conceived and developed as a foundational element of a collaborative multi-disciplinary professional services organization based in Malta, known as the ARQ Group (www.arqgroup.com), which brings  together top professional players in Malta from various disciplines for collaborative purposes. The ARQ Group has
included top-tier centres of expertise that are active in the field of corporate and trust services, together with advisory practices in the fields of tax, investment migration, compliance, risk management and anti-money laundering regulation. Dr. Fenech served as founding Chairman of the ARQ Group since inception in 2012 until 2018 and remains a director of several Group companies.

Dr. Fenech has been an occasional speaker at public events in the field of organizational design & collaborative structures, besides topics which form part of his expertise. He lectures regularly at the University of Malta on asset finance law, insurance law as well as the law of trusts and fiduciary relationships. He is also the Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Malta.

John Drysdale

Business Development Manager, The Shannon Airport Group

John joined The Shannon Airport Group in 2017 and now heads up the Shannon Aviation Services Cluster. He is responsible for developing and promoting the aviation services community, both on and off the airfield, which now has over eighty businesses and three thousand employees. He is the industry mentor on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Irish Aviation Students Council (IASA) and an aviation programme validation committee member for the Technology University of the Shannon (TUS). John also sits on the Aviation Industry advisory board at Dublin City University and has been a long-standing member of the industry steering committee for the ICBE Aviation Skillnet. In addition to holding an EASA Part 66 licensed aircraft Engineer, holds numerous technical and academic qualifications/accreditations in Aviation and Business Leadership and is a recent graduate from Dublin City University with a Master’s Degree in Aviation Leadership. Within his role within Shannon Airport Group, John is also the liaise with Future Mobility Campus Ireland and he is also the organisation’s drone operator with Specific Category Approval under PDRA S01.

James Hardie

Course Correction Consulting Ltd

David McAdam

Founder & CEO, Floog

Melanie Daglish

Director, Thomas Miller

Andrew Wilson

Director – Head of Aviation and Marine, Zedra

He has worked in Accountancy, Audit and Tax services for a broad range of business owners. Since 2007 Andrew has specialised in corporate services, with a focus on the ownership and tax structuring of trading companies, property, yachts, helicopters and private aircraft for private and corporate clients.

He specialises in bespoke ownership structuring in multiple jurisdictions, providing special purpose entities for a variety of purposes, yacht and aircraft registration, tax/VAT mitigation and deferral, as well as managing sale and purchase transactions and the day to day oversight of specialist structures.

Andrew has key relationships with clients, bankers, customs agents, tax advisors, lawyers and intermediaries and is responsible for managing multiple EU VAT compliance and tax reclaims for ZEDRA’s clients.

Andrew trained with a firm of Chartered Certified Accountants, The Institute of Indirect Taxation and the Institute of Export and International Trade. He was instrumental in assisting ZEDRA to attain its Authorised Economic Operator status.

Zoe Layden

Managing Director, Claveaux Consulting

Zoë  Layden is a risk management expert with over 30 years of experience in the International insurance market.  Zoë is Managing Director of Claveaux Consulting, working with an array (re)insurance entities regarding aviation development as well as Aerospace industry companies needing support for their risk management and transfer needs.

Zoë believes in a holistic approach to risk. Managing the systemic risks facing an aviation business comprises many disciplines, not least of all the insurance purchase itself. Fascinated by global interfaces, she has forged a business helping others navigate the complexities of theses interlinked aspects of our global infrastructure.

Prior to starting her own business she was broker relationship and Chief Underwriting Office Airline Director Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. She was responsible for portfolio management and strategic direction of the airline practice underwritten in the four hubs, London, Paris, Munich and New York.   Zoë previously spent 16 years at Willis Ltd in London and New York where she held a number of key production and management roles.  Originally from Boston, Zoë graduated from Tufts University and is also fluent in French.

Dr Giannella Barbieri

Legal Manager, BDO Malta

Dr. Giannella Barbieri holds the position of Legal Advisory Services Manager and currently heads the legal department at BDO Malta. BDO is a global organisation extending across 164 countries and territories. BDO Malta’s legal department is comprised of several lawyers specialising in various fields, such as corporate and commercial law, yachting and aviation, employment law and intellectual property law.

Dr Geraldine Spiteri

Director, Advocate, Acumum

Louise Dowson

Chief Executive Officer, Fly People

With over 2 decades’ experience in aviation, Louise initiated her career as Cabin Crew, later progressing in to Operational roles and has since held various Nominated Person positions. 

Having worked for AOCs in both the commercial and corporate sectors of aviation, Louise has a diverse understanding of the industry, with a focus on providing safe outcomes while delivering exceptional service.  Louise is currently CEO of Flypeople Ltd., a CCTO based in Malta, offering consultancy and aircrew training for pilots and cabin crew.

Diego Magrini

Co-Founder, Nerd.aero

Vlada Schindelar

Head of Sales, Mirai Flights

Vlada is the Head of Sales at Mirai Flights, a business jet charter broker that leverages technology to simplify the process of arranging charter flights. Her experience includes roles in banking and aircraft chartering, providing her with a solid foundation in both the financial and aviation sectors. Vlada has a strong interest in technology and sales, which influences her approach to leading the sales team and contributing to the company’s strategy.

Roberto Hlaca

Director, Getjet.com

Roberto also known to many in the industry as Bob, started off with his Business Aviation carrier at VistaJet, in the early years when they still did not have the silver and red branded aircraft. He held the position of Vice President of On Demand Sales. Within the first two weeks, he noticed that there were some mondain sales tasks being done and sat with the IT team and started developing a Quoting tool/database, then progressed to the creation of reports which allowed VistaJet to have some AI advantages….it was this early stage of development that he loved and flourished in. After almost 7 years of this incredibly fast paced life and seeing a fleet grow to 31 aircraft, he decided it was at the right moment to move when he was approached by Qatar Executive who also had intentions of expansion and growth in the Middle East. They however had smaller ambitions, so he took on that challenge and here too he was amazed that there was no IT tool for sales and had to then implement FOS.  He held the role of Vice President Sales, Marketing and Strategy for a period of 2,5 years before moving to France to be with his wife and see his first born enter the world.  A 2^nd child followed shortly completing the family. After his tenure at Qatar he worked at Elit’Avia, where again there was a lack of IT infrastructure in place for sales.

Seeing the common lack of IT and speaking to other industry professionals, the concept of empty legs and evolving the Business Jet products like merging or Jet sharing arose. This new challenge was indeed daunting but seeing the challenges ahead it was all worth the risk, although knowing the industry was full of luddites he took the step none the less.

GetJet is used by operators and brokers alike to search for Empty legs in a more efficient and effective manner. Jet Sharing is now a new focal point and is seen as lucrative way of filling the gaps that the Commercial Airlines left after the pandemic.

Steve Descare

Partner, Camilleri Preziosi Avocats

Steve heads the Transport, Public Procurement and IP, IT and TMT teams of the firm, being the teams responsible for various practice areas including maritime and yachting, aviation, land transport. intellectual property, information technology and technology, media and telecommunications.

In the transport sector, Steve has been very active in maritime, yachting and aviation since joining the firm in 2007. Steve advises on the full spectrum of matters relating to transport, including regulatory aspects, infrastructure-related matters (such as airport marina and port-related matters), acquisitions, finance and leasing, dispute resolutions and enforcement. Steve has advised major international players in these sectors, including operators of transport assets (such as operators of airport, marinas, ports, airlines and shipping companies), lessors (both operating and finance lessors) and financiers.

Ruth Sawers

Founder and CEO of Women In Aviation Malta, (WiAM)

Aleksandra Kapsimalova

Lead of Engineering/Planning Department, MCM

An Engineer with extensive experience in Project Management.

Currently Managing the Engineering/Planning Department at Maintenance Center Malta with a vast portfolio of Bombardier, Cessna, Beechcraft, Embraer, Gulfstream aircrafts.

Passionate for business aviation and all the thrills and challenges it brings. Airworthiness, Process Engineering, Customer Relations, Quoting, Finance Closing are all part of my daily activities.

Currently working on obtaining EASA Part 66 C License.

Ambassador of Women in Aviation Malta and active member and supporter since the beginning of the organization.  Standing behind the WIAM cause inspiring women to confidently enter aviation and supporting women on the road of becoming managers and holding senior managerial roles.

Believer in equity.