Board
Members

Josh Stewart is the Founding Chairman of the Irish Business & General Aviation Association (IBGAA), Founder & CEO of Robusto Capital, Founder & CEO of XJet®, Director in Belize Natural Energy (BNE), IBGAA Representative on the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) Governing Board, Board Member of the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), and a veteran of the aviation industry for more than 30 years.

A Belfast native and former RAF Volunteer Reserve pilot (ULAS), Josh has been a passionate aviator since a young age and worked as a bush pilot in Africa during the early stages of his career. This involved providing humanitarian air support for many NGOs, including the United Nations World Food Programme and International Red Cross. He has since accumulated over 5,000 flight hours as a rated Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and commercially rated helicopter pilot.

In 2003, Josh attended a seminar in the Bahamas, where he was introduced to the Educo® Model and immediately knew it was the answer. It was on this seminar that he developed his invincible vision for a new type of private aviation company, and XJet® was born.

XJet® disrupted the status quo by implementing a revolutionary business model and placing world class facilities, seven-star service and transparent economics at its core. This was achieved from its state-of-the-art flagship facility, which was built in 2006 from the ground up with a clean-sheet design, in Denver, Colorado – setting a new benchmark for private aviation.

In 2014, XJet® took over the largest private hangar in Europe, at London-Stansted Airport, and carried out a comprehensive upgrade to cater for heads of state and the VVIP market. Under Josh’s leadership, XJet® rapidly rose from industry start-up to challenger brand to the world’s number-one-ranked private aviation company.

Following the acquisition of the flagship US facility by Tiger Infrastructure Partners in 2018, the UK facility was sold to Diamond Hangar Limited in 2019. The company also relocated its global headquarters to the UAE, secured a new license for its award-winning club, and continued to seek new opportunities.

Outside of aviation, Josh is a Director in Belize Natural Energy (BNE), having joined the company in 2008. BNE was founded in 2005 by a group of Irish investors, all trained in the Educo® Model, who came together and discovered the first oil in Belize. BNE is powered by a 97% Belizean team, and, since its inception, has consistently been the number-one revenue generator and employer in Belize, contributing more than US $240 million in government revenues and gaining global recognition for its award-winning model.

Upon joining BNE, Josh was tasked with positioning the company to secure additional opportunities. He began by leading high-level government delegations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Belize, as no formal links had existed between the two countries previously. He was subsequently responsible for the establishment of formal bilateral relationships between the UAE and Belize, resulting in the signing of bilateral trade agreements at the United Nations Headquarters in 2015.

This was followed by the signing of a bilateral economic cooperation agreement at the UAE Ministry of Economy in 2019. As a result of these delegations, trade agreements and treaties, investment has begun to flow from the UAE into Belize from both the government and private sector, as the county-to-county alliance strengthens and develops.

After successfully raising and deploying investments of over US$100 million through his entrepreneurial endeavours, Josh launched his own investment and acceleration company, Robusto Capital, in 2019 in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), thus unifying his business portfolio under one banner. As Founder & CEO of the company, he sees significant potential to further utilise the Educo® Model and build upon his experience at both government and private sector levels. By doing so, he aims to develop more ‘win-win’ bilateral collaborations, in addition to strategic business partnerships and investments.

Dave Scully is the Founding Vice-Chairman of the Irish Business & General Aviation Association (IBGAA) and Managing Director & Accountable Manager at Private Sky, the Shannon based leading corporate aircraft management company.

A stalwart of Irish business and general aviation, Dave has close to two decades of experience in aviation operations at senior management level. He previously held the position of Director of Operations at Dublin-Weston Executive Airport and was also the founder of AEM Limited Aviation Consultancy.

Over the years, he has been the driving force for many business aviation special events. In addition to being the Founder of the Bray International Air Show, Dave organised Ireland’s first helicopter exhibition, the Irish Heli Expo, in 2007. He has also overseen such VVIP helicopter operations as the Dalai Lama’s visit to Ireland.

In his role as Managing Director & Accountable Manager, which he has held since 2017, Dave leads Private Sky, a trading name of Airlink Airways Ltd., in its delivery of a luxurious and effortless private aviation service. From the Private Sky headquarters in Shannon, he guides his team in striving to ensure the hassles of regular jet air travel are removed, so that passengers can fly whenever and wherever they want in comfort, privacy and safety.

The company specialises in aircraft management, purchasing, completion oversight, CAMO, Part NCC, sales and charter, and is in operation in Ireland for more than 28 years – operating its fleet of business jets from bases in Dublin, Belfast, London and Moscow.

Equipped with a diverse and invaluable set of specialities, including aviation management and consultancy, airport management and development, airport operations management, and VVIP Handling – Dave has established himself as a leading industry figure and innovator.

Moreover, his proven track record of managing several key aviation projects from concept to execution, along with his comprehensive expertise of EU-OPS and ICAO Legislation, the helicopter and corporate jet market, FBO management, business development, and marketing, has made him an invaluable asset to Irish business and general aviation as a whole.

A widely respected advocate for the development and growth of business aviation in Ireland, Dave has an in-depth knowledge and experience of aviation regulatory requirements, as well as an extensive understanding of both national and international aviation business.

Over the course of his career, he has striven to bring aviation safety professionals together to exchange concepts and ideas, while facilitating the review and discussion of safety records and mechanisms, with the aim of promoting continuous improvement of industry standards and best practices.

Joe Buckley is the Founding Executive Director of the Irish Business & General Aviation Association IBGAA. An aviation industry veteran, with over 40 years of extensive experience working for Shannon Airport – Joe has held several executive roles within airport operations and business development.

Since the early 80s, Joe has been involved at a national and international level on a number of issues of strategic importance to Shannon Airport, having served as a Director on several Shannon Airport and Shannon Group boards.

In 2007, Joe took on a new role with Shannon Airport and assumed responsibility for technical traffic development. He went on to successfully position Shannon as the number one Airport on the North Atlantic for technical stops by business jets. He also actively promoted the development of a Centre of Excellence for Business Aviation in Shannon.

An early advocate of extending US preclearance to business aviation, Joe played a key role in the subsequent opening of the world’s first US preclearance facility in Shannon. The facility allows passengers on business jets to preclear US Immigration & Customs at Shannon and fly directly to more than 200 US airports. He also contributed significantly to a compliant catering trial, which would enable business jets to fly to any airport in the US from Shannon.

The pivotal part he played in developing preclearance for business aviation gained international recognition and he was the first Irish person to be named one of the ‘Top European Business Aviation Leaders for 2013’ by the prestigious Aviation Week magazine.

Through his work with numerous US non-scheduled carriers, Joe has generated new business and secured the use of Shannon for those carriers as their main European base for technical stops on the North Atlantic.

He has collaborated with both political and commercial VIP’s to develop relationships of long-term business and strategic benefit to Shannon Airport, as well as serving as a representative for Shannon in several international aviation industry associations. These include the NBAA, NACA, and EBAA. He is also a member of the EBAA’s Advocacy Committee.

Since availing of early retirement in September 2020, Joe continues to provide strategic support on several aviation-related projects at both Board and Executive level. In his role as Founding Executive Director of the IBGAA, he contributes expert advocacy support and promotes the growth of general aviation traffic at Irish airports, with the aim of facilitating FDI, tourism and technical traffic stops.

Keith McKay is a Founding Member of the Irish Business & General Aviation Association (IBGAA) and Operations Manager & Business Development Manager at Woodgate Aviation, the Belfast International Airport based fixed wing air ambulance operator, private jet management company, charter broker, FBO and general aviation maintenance provider.

After 14 years in the airline industry, Keith joined the team at Woodgate Aviation in 2012, bringing with him his knowledge of operational and service delivery. In his current Business Development role, Keith’s work ethic is respected for increasing Woodgate Aviation’s brand awareness via social media platforms, marketing campaigns, the introduction of a new company website and organizing and promoting highly successful local business aviation product placement and showcase events in Northern Ireland.

Moreover, Keith is also Operations Manager of Woodgate Aviation where he now oversees the efficient running of the Ground Operations Department, supporting the Northern Ireland Fixed Wing Air Ambulance Operation, the company’s managed private jet fleet as well as VIP customer ground handling.

Established in 1969, Woodgate Aviation is a prime example of Irish Aviation’s rich legacy, making it, one of, or if not the oldest general aviation companies still flying from the island of Ireland.

Kenneth Fielding is the General Manager for Signature Flight Support in Shannon. Signature Flight Support are the world’s largest Fixed Base Operator with over 200 locations worldwide including Shannon and Dublin providing essential support services for business and private aviation including ground handling, refueling and a variety of other world-class amenities with exceptional customer service.

Kenneth began working for Signature in 2005 as a customer service representative then taking on the role of Operations Manager in 2014. In 2015 he was promoted to the position of General Manager for the Shannon base. In his current role as General Manager he is responsible for the day to day running of the Shannon base, delivering a consistent 5 star level of service for Signature customers while maintaining a strong safety culture.

In his time at Signature Kenneth has co-ordinated many high level visits for Presidential and VVIP operations while also achieving International Standard for Business Aviation Handling Stage I and Stage 2 accreditations for the Shannon base.

Angie Deady-Fiddler is a director of Martyn Fiddler Aviation based at their Irish office. Angie oversees and manages customs businesses in Ireland, UK, Isle of Man and the Netherlands. Having previously worked extensively in customer service roles and administration services, Angie joined the business in 2000 and has led the customs team for over 20 years, growing it to be a globally recognised brand within the business aviation sector.

Martyn Fiddler Aviation are Europe’s leading business aviation customs and VAT specialists and also provide regulated corporate services and tax advice across multiple jurisdictions. AEO approved in both the UK and Isle of Man, Martyn Fiddler Aviation hold a number of customs authorisations including Customs Warehousing, Inward Processing and T1 Transit.

Angie’s in-depth knowledge and experience of customs rules allow her to offer solutions and navigate the clearance of client aircraft with minimal delay and inconvenience.

Liam Murphy is the General Manager for Universal Aviation based in Shannon Airport, Ireland. Universal Aviation is a trip support company based in Houston, Texas and is a leading player in the provision of Trip Support Services for Business Aviation operators and provides necessary services to some of the biggest multi-national companies around the globe.

Liam has over 20 years’ Aviation experience and has primarily been involved in the Business Aviation sector for the majority of that period encompassing a variety of roles involving Customer Service, Safety & Training and Operations. As part of his experience, Liam spent a number of years as the Director of Ground Operations for one of Irelands leading and most distinguished Charter operators. It was in this role that the requirement and necessity for a national association for Business Aviation became apparent so that the industry could become more efficient, productive and successful.

As Universal Aviation has Irish offices in both Shannon and Dublin, Liam is extremely well focused on the issues that face the Business Aviation community in Ireland and how we can develop and progress our industry further.

Jim O Sullivan Exjets Ltd  started in 1994 in leasing and charter flights and is 100% committed to providing a first class personal service with flying schedules tailored specifically to meet your requirements.

Exjets values are based entirely around servicing it’s customers more effectively than the competition by delivering better value, better creativity in flying routes and better advice than anyone else. As a result, Exjets has successfully outgrown the market and the competition and we believe that if we look after our clients better than the competition, everything else will follow. Great availability even at short notice.

Alan Nee is a Licensed FAA and EASA ATPL Corporate Jet and Helicopter pilot himself, has extensive operational experience in North and South America, the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, Far East, Russia and Europe.
Past operational roles have included: CEO and Accountable Manager for Premier Aviation Ltd. (Helicopter AOC), CEO and Accountable Manager for Premier Executive Jets. (Jet AOC).

Alan has an excellent working relationship with Embraer, Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Airbus, Agusta, Bell and Sikorsky, having purchased aircraft from each of these manufacturers for resale and leasing.

Peter Costelloe is the founder of By Appointment DMC which has successfully grown an executive concierge business from Ireland to now being present in five countries across two continents.

Peter’s achievements include logistical planning for a vast array of A list celebrities, government officials and the senior decision makers within large multinational companies. Peter has been involved in the logistical support for four U.S. Presidential visits to Ireland and received a personal thank you from President Barack Obama after his trip to Ireland in May 2011.

Prior to founding By Appointment DMC, Peter worked for a global corporate aviation company where he held several managerial roles. Peter’s objective is to ensure that the team in By Appointment DMC are constantly adapting to our clients’ needs while simultaneously focusing on how to develop new and unique experiences ensuring we can provide that WOW factor for our guests. Peter’s mantra which he likes to share with the By Appointment DMC team, mirrors that of his favourite sporting team “Impossible is Nothing”. .

I joined ACASS on December 1^st, where I have taken over from Russ Allchorne, trying to absorb as much wisdom as possible before he departs to CAE as Training delivery manager. It is a real privilege to take over from Russ and  having the opportunity to learn from a true expert.

Prior to ACASS, I worked for GainJet on their charter aircraft. Before that, I worked for Emirates, Norwegian, Ryanair, and TUI.

I am a lifelong learner and have experience as a TRE/TRI with Ryanair. I took a dip into the academic world and completed a BSc in aviation technology and a Ba in Business and management in aviation. I am currently completing a professional diploma in Airworthiness management at the University of Limerick.

I live in Shannon with my wife and daughters. When I’m not keeping busy with flying, you can find me learning how to build walls, operating a JCB and welding. If I can escape the DIY, you’ll find me on the Golf Course with similar results to operating the JCB.

I look forward to working with and getting to know all of you over the coming months. My door is always open, and my phone is always on. Don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help you.

Colin joined Jetcraft in 2019 as a Sales Manager supporting the Northern European and Middle East regions before being promoted to Sales Director in 2023. ​

In his current role, he leads sales initiatives in the US Midwest. Since joining Jetcraft, Colin has supported over $1bn worth of aircraft transactions, using modern day sales and marketing strategies to successfully build and maintain relationships and ultimately negotiate and close aircraft transactions. ​

Prior to Jetcraft, Colin held roles across the aerospace, energy and construction industries in a mix of engineering, project management and business development capacities, including a two-year tenure working with aircraft owners, airlines, lessors and MROs at AerData/Boeing.​

Colin holds an Engineering Degree from Trinity College Dublin, an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Dublin and a Certificate in Aviation Leasing and Finance.

Colin is originally from Dublin, Ireland and is now based in Chicago, Illinois having recently relocated from Jetcraft’s London HQ.

Wayne Pollock is founder and CEO of WP Exclusive Luxury, a very private and discreet luxury travel and lifestyle management consultancy with UHNW clients across the globe.

For over 35 years, Wayne has led the business to achieving more industry awards than any other UK independent consultancy in this specialist niche. With clients ranging from Hollywood A listers to captains of industry, his reputation, whilst below the radar publicly, is highly respected by the leaders in high-end travel, hospitality, private aviation, luxury yachts, private islands and global property.

Wayne enjoys enduring relationships with the owners and managers of the best of the best across the globe which he has meticulously forged over almost four decades. It is these relationships, that money cannot buy, that enable him and his team to provide a highly personal, bespoke and incomparable service to a very select clientele who demand the ultimate in the use of their precious time in both business and leisure.

From unforgettable rustic five star culture experiences to lavish seven star luxury, WPEL are the best kept secret for those who want the highest levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism backed by the sort of hands-on experience and knowledge that is unashamedly unique in the industry.

Philip Bartlett is the Chief Technical Officer for Shannon Technical Services, a global technical services provider for aircraft owners, lessors and airlines and is based in Shannon, Ireland.

Philip began his aviation career as an Avionic Apprentice with Aer Lingus in 1990. During this time, he

gained significant experience in a wide area of the airline maintenance and engineering environment

including helping to restore the Iolar, a De Havilland DH84 Dragon. Based in Toulouse for a period of time he was responsible for the technical delivery management of several Airbus aircraft to the airline.

In more recent times he has held both maintenance manager and CAMO manager nominated post

holder positions for a significant Irish corporate jet operator utilising both business jet and helicopter types.

In addition, Philip has spent time as a EASA Part 21 Design Engineer and EASA Part 147 Technical Instructor.

He was also involved in the importation and continuing airworthiness management of the first aircraft, an Embraer Lineage 1000, to be entered on the Irish EJ aircraft register in 2018.

As a Technical Operations Manager for Nordic Aviation Capital, he gained a perspective of the regional aircraft leasing business including managing aircraft deliveries and returns, to and from various international airlines.

Now part of the Shannon Technical Services senior leadership team he has established the CAMO

department which holds EASA, Cayman Island, Bermudan and Bailiwick of Guernsey continuing airworthiness and Airworthiness Review authority approvals for a wide range of regional, commercial and corporate aircraft including several helicopter types.

Sean Raftery has more than 40 years of aviation experience, including over 25 with Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Based in Stansted, United Kingdom, Sean was previously in the Royal Air Force where he worked in air traffic control. In 2002, he was appointed Managing Director of Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and in 2010 took on the additional responsibilities as Managing Director of Ireland.

Under Sean’s leadership, Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and Universal Aviation Ireland, with FBO locations at Dublin and Shannon, have continued to grow and add new services, including the UK based European Operations Centre. Sean has also been instrumental in Universal Aviation continuing to upgrade its facilities including project management of the complete refurbishment of Universal Aviation U.K. – London-Stansted and the remodeling of Universal Aviation Shannon. In 2020 Universal Aviation opened up at RAF Northolt and Sean took further responsibility as Universal’s Director for northern Europe.

Well respected within the business aviation industry, Sean has worked closely with government officials to develop and implement industry leading practices and was highly instrumental in influencing the U.K. government for fairer and better immigration procedures for visiting business jet passengers.