The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) has announced a totally new leadership. Brian Humphries, current chairman of the EBAA, is taking over as chief executive on November 1 and Dr Rodolfo Baviera will be appointed chairman at the beginning of October.

Dr Baviera, who represented the Italian Business Aviation Association on the EBAA board for many years, was elected with a large majority. Said a spokesman: “Despite initial interest from several governors, the only candidate remaining for election was Dr Rodolfo Baviera.”

Baviera is currently chairman and ceo of Eurofly service, a charter company managing 18 business aircraft, and chairman of Elilario Italia, which operates a fleet of 32 helicopters.

The changes were prompted by the imminent retirement of Fernand Francois, who has led the association for the past 12 years.

The spokesman added: “Our newly-elected chairman has explained to the Board of Governors that he will endeavour to demon-strate to politicians that business aviation is a tool that creates wealth to the European economy.

“With future ceo Brian Humphries having a strong knowledge of corporate operations and Dr Baviera’s experience of charter and manage-ment companies, the new EBAA leadership is well capable of leading the association towards new heights.”