The British Business General Aviation Association (BBGA) has elected partner and co-founder of The Air Law Firm Aoife O'Sullivan as its new chair and Alex Durand, CEO of aircraft charter and management company SaxonAir, as vice chair. O'Sullivan takes over from Gama Aviation founder Marwan Khalek, who has held the position for eight years. Gama Aviation has been closely involved with BBGA and its predecessor GAMTA since 1983. Khalek announced his decision to step down at the AGM at Luton Hoo last month, highlighting it was time for a successor.

BBGA CEO Marc Bailey says: “In Aoife and Alex we have a strong duo with complementary talents to take our association forward.”

O'Sullivan, who will serve for an initial three-year term, adds: “I'd like to thank the board for its confidence in voting for me. Marwan leaves big shoes to fill and I am looking forward to working with Alex, Marc, the BBGA directorate and BBGA's 18-strong board of directors in helping to shape the future direction of the association.

“We are in the midst of extremely challenging times with the uncertainty of Brexit. One of our priorities is to further the relationships we enjoy with other industry associations, as well as maintaining the excellent dialogue we enjoy with regulators including the CAA and DfT.

“BBGA is the largest of the national associations and, with the UK the second largest market for business aviation not only in the number of aircraft tails supported but our aviation services businesses and all manner of supporting suppliers and specialists, we would like to see more UK businesses take up membership.”