Russi Batliwala began life at aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn as a trainee aviation broker, working from an office in Germany with only two other colleagues. Now, 33 years on, he has been appointed chairman of the business, which has risen to become a global operation regarded as one of the biggest and best in its sector.
It is a remarkable story of loyalty, ambition and determination to deliver results over more than three decades. But the 56-year-old says he has never lost the passion and sense of awe for aviation which he first experienced as a young boy taking flights with his pilot father.
Here he reveals the secrets of his journey and his vision for the future of Chapman Freeborn, having moved from being a hands-on CEO, in charge of day to day operations, to a strategic role at a business which is now part of the Avia Solutions Group (ASG) and has its sights set on further growth…