Neil Harvey, director of executive aviation at charter brokerage Hunt & Palmer, who this year celebrates 30 years at the company, is the recipient of the British Business and General Aviation Association's (BBGA) annual Contribution to Industry award.

Harvey, from Sale Moor, Manchester, started working in aviation at the London Air Taxi Centre, a venture from parent company Davies and Newman, during a period when charter aircraft availability was limited. Harvey’s early career included roles at Grosvenor Aviation, where he piloted Piper PA31 Chieftain aircraft, and Hatfield Executive, where he worked as a specialist in Learjet operations. In 1994, he joined Hunt & Palmer, then a small brokerage located near Oxford Street, as its fourth employee.

Harvey’s role at Hunt & Palmer expanded over the years, leading him to become the executive aviation broking manager in 1998, welcoming a period of substantial growth for the company. In 2010, he was appointed to Hunt & Palmer’s board, taking charge of executive aviation activities and, since 2020, he has overseen marketing and communications.

Beyond his role at Hunt & Palmer, Harvey has contributed to the BBGA as a board member since 2017, promoting education initiatives and providing invaluable advice to newer members of the organisation.

“Neil is every bit Hunt & Palmer, as much as owners Jeremy Palmer and Peter Hunt are,” says co-director Mark Jenkinson, who has worked with Neil for 29 years. “We are very lucky to have Neil on our leadership team. He's often the one who colleagues go to for guidance. He has been a great mentor to many over the years, always level-headed and fair, with knowledge and contacts in the industry that are second to none.”