With career paths in the heady worlds of both the City of London and Formula 1, Nino brings a wealth of financial and management experience to the flypop team. After attending the Royal Military Academy (RMA) Sandhurst in 1984-85, Nino studied at Southampton University and gained an MEng degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, before joining Team Lotus F1 in Norfolk as a research and development (R&D) engineer. After three years at Team Lotus he made a major career move and spent four years with Lehman Brothers and JP Morgan Chase as an ECU bond trader.
However, the lure of Formula 1 drew him back into the motor racing world where he was instrumental in bringing the Lotus brand back as Lotus Racing and later Team Lotus and Caterham F1. He held the position of Chief Executive of GP2 & Head of Driver Development Europe, and was also Managing Director of Litespeed F3 throughout this period, his very own Formula 3 racing team.
In his parallel City career, Nino was a Partner with bond brokers BGC Partners, until taking on flypop full time in 2017. Nino was responsible for the original concept that has now become flypop, and as one of the original founders of the project, along with Bobby Bhakar, he has worked pro bono on the project to make it a reality.
Chairman
Charlie has over 30 years of global experience in the low-cost airline industry, having encountered virtually every challenge. He transformed Ryanair into a profitable low-cost carrier, founded Tiger Airways in Singapore, consulted for Webjet in Brazil and assisted Ryanair’s LaudaMotion acquisition. He brings outstanding industry knowledge, commercial awareness, and strategic management.
Non-Executive Director
Raj has some 20 years experience in risk management disciplines. Advised various governments, companies, authored and trained many thousands in managing risks.
CTO and Founder
Bobby is a seasoned Chief Technology Officer with over 20 years of experience in capital markets and eCommerce. Known for his open, straightforward leadership, he fosters transparency and collaboration within teams. His leadership style encourages innovation, accountability, and trust, empowering teams to solve complex challenges. He is s also a founding director of Flypop.
Chief Operating Officer - AOC Accountable Manager
Hitesh Patel is a seasoned aviation start-up specialist with over 30 years' experience in operations, financial planning, and business development. Formerly JetBlue’s Technical Director, Kingfisher Airways’ COO, and Veling Aviation's CEO, he now leads Blu3Aero consultancy, advising Riyadh Air on operational strategy and regulatory compliance for airline innovation.
Chief Commercial Officer
Mike is a results-driven C-suite executive with extensive experience in commercial leadership and investment management. Since 2022, he has served as Head of Legal at flypop, recently becoming Chief Commercial Officer, playing a key role in driving business growth and operational excellence across various sectors.
Chief Financial Officer (FCCA)
With over 30 years in the aviation industry, Paul is an accomplished CFO and FCCA fellow. He has held senior leadership roles at major airlines, specialising in financial and strategic planning, risk management, and team leadership, driving profitability and operational excellence throughout his career.
Executive Manager
Adele is the Executive Manager of flypop, with a diverse background in tourism, aviation, and pharmaceuticals. Starting her career at Ryanair, she held various roles that refined her customer service, operational, compliance, licencing, and recruitment skills. Committed to safety and operational excellence, Adele excels in teamwork, communication, and multitasking.
Technical Director - AOC Nominated Person Continuing Airworthiness
Ian is an accomplished aviation executive with an MBA and extensive experience in supply chain management, procurement, and commercial strategy. He has held senior roles at Flybe, Wizz Air, and AJW, delivering sustainable performance improvements and advising airlines on aftermarket MRO services
Chief Investment Officer
Chris, a Canadian financial expert, brings over 30 years of global experience in advising and fundraising for private and public companies. His background spans several top-tier investment banks, including UBS, and prior business ventures in India, making him a valuable asset to the team.
Head of Business Development - MENA
Richard has nearly 40 years of experience with Fortune 500 bigtech and fintech companies. He co-founded Redair, launched Saudi Arabia's SADAD payments platform, and collaborates with flypop while splitting his time between the UK, UAE, and KSA
Financial Controller
Rebecca McKenzie is a finance professional with 20+ years of experience, specialising in the travel industry. She excels in financial management and strategic planning, optimising performance and fostering growth through collaborative leadership and tailored solutions.
Digital Marketing and Communications Director
Natalie brings over 20 years of senior marketing experience to Flypop, developing impactful brand strategies for companies ranging from global giants to startups. A proponent of data-driven approaches, she aligns marketing initiatives with business objectives while enhancing audience engagement for lasting connections.
Director of India Operations
Mahendra brings over 30 years of expertise in building UK-India cultural and business partnerships. His leadership skills, deep understanding of Indian culture, and commitment to community service have earned him numerous awards, including the Bharat Gaurav Award. He excels in fostering cross-cultural collaboration and developing meaningful connections between UK and Indian entities.
Head of ICT
Gary is an experienced IT professional, formerly a Senior Technician at The Beckett Group and IT Manager at Atkinson Bolton Consulting. Currently, he serves as an IT Consultant for Bridge Partners Ltd, managing diverse support contracts and gaining extensive expertise in Microsoft software, networking, and data protection. He has also contributed pro bono on various projects.
