Switzerland-headquartered Vertis Aviation has created two new team roles. Christian Stokes has been appointed as business development manager with a remit to develop Vertis' charter management programme in Europe, and Anna Smahlli has stepped into the role of charter sales executive.

The Vertis charter management programme is designed to support owners and operators looking for outsourced professional charter sales management, enabling them to maintain focus on the core competency of aircraft operations. Previously, Stokes has helped develop a number of hospitality businesses and joins Vertis after working with a private aviation membership company. Located in Dublin, he is geographically and professionally well positioned to use this experience to support company growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

Anna Smahlli joins as charter sales executive based at the company's headquarters in Zug, Switzerland. The Ukrainian national has worked for more than eight years in the business aviation industry in a variety of positions including flight dispatcher and operations coordinator, as well as in management and business development fields. She is tasked with is finding new customers, liaising with business partners and maintaining high-levels of customer service standards as she grows the European and CIS business.

Complementing the team expansion is Daniella Dawson, who has worked with Vertis for two years as charter sales manager in London. She moves to its Dubai office to grow the team there. The Middle East has proved to be a fertile ground for Vertis, and as the Dubai location enters its seventh year of business the growing regional work load requires additional resources. Dawson will work alongside chief commercial officer Catherine Buchanan.

The Vertis team now numbers 12 across offices in Zug, Boston, Dubai and Cape Town. “It is an extremely exciting time for us as we shift our balance from being known for our long-range expertise,” says founding partner Jeffrey Emmenis. “This will continue, as will our Vertis charter management programme, but these activities will be complemented by the development of our short to mid-range charters. We've always offered them, but we are now strengthening this part of our business to ensure our clients, and the market, can maximise our charter expertise whatever their needs.”

Vertis markets a portfolio of business aircraft including two BBJs, an ACJ319, two Global 6000s, a Gulfstream G450 and a Challenger 350 on behalf of the owner/operators.