Luxaviation UK CEO and co-founder Patrick Margetson-Rushmore retired on May 31, handing over the reins solely to co-founder and managing director George Galanopoulos. In addition to taking on the CEO duties, Galanopoulos will continue as European head of charter for the Luxaviation Group.
Margetson-Rushmore and Galanopoulos co-founded the business with Amanda Galanopoulos in 1996 originally as London Executive Aviation. Initially based in a post-war hut at the Stapleford Aerodrome, the business expanded from a two-aircraft operator that served horseracing jockeys and local businesses into a broad business aviation services organization operating a diverse fleet from the Beechcraft King Air 200 turboprop to the ultra-long-range Bombardier Global 6000. It joined the Luxaviation Group in 2014.
“It is with great sadness that I have taken the decision to retire as CEO of Luxaviation UK. As colleagues are aware, I have some health issues and I am looking forward to spending time relaxing with my family,” Margetson-Rushmore said. “I would like to stress that this has been planned for some time and is not Covid-19 related.” He added that he plans to remain involved with Luxaviation on a part-time consulting basis.
Supporting Galanopoulos will be Martin Hilder, who is being promoted to COO; Kimon Daniilidis, who was named chief customer support and strategy officer; and Tony Medlock, who remains CFO.
“Business air charter is undoubtedly facing both challenges and opportunities with Covid-19, Brexit, and as we seek, as an industry, to reduce carbon emissions and push towards sustainability,” said Galanopoulos. “I am confident in our ability to evolve and grow in the coming years as we have since Luxaviation UK’s inception, and am proud to be leading the company at this point in its history.”