Air Partner appoints Ian Holder as MD of Baines Simmons

April 25, 2018: Global aviation and cargo chartering services provider Air Partner has appointed Ian Holder as managing director of aviation and consultancy firm Baines Simmons. Air Partner acquired Baines Simmons in 2015.

Holder joins the new role immediately, reporting directly to Air Partner CEO Mark Briffa, and will also sit on the Group’s Operating Board.

He joined Baines Simmons as a Principal Consultant in 2015 and his promotion follows a thorough internal and external recruitment search. He has a particular interest in the power of organisational safety cultures to drive enhanced business performance and has worked with numerous global brands, including national flag-carrying airlines. He will remain based at the Baines Simmons office at Fairoaks airport and will focus on accelerating the growth of the company.

Ian is a safety management specialist, with over 25 years in the industry. He began his aviation career with the RAF in 1990, serving as both a military and civil airline pilot, before joining Flybe in 2009, where he held a number of senior positions.

Mark Briffa, CEO of Air Partner said: “Already this year we have won a significant four-year contract with the Ministry of Defence and the pipeline ahead is strong. We are making good headway against our strategic objective to create a balanced business between Broking and Consulting & Training, and I have no doubt that Baines Simmons’ growth trajectory will gain further traction under Ian’s leadership.”