The British Business and General Aviation Association is pleased to recognise Neil Harvey, a renowned and popular industry leader in business aviation for its 2024 Contribution to Industry award.
Neil, director of executive aviation at award-winning charter brokerage Hunt & Palmer, marked 30 years at the company this year.
He has introduced many newcomers into the often-complex world of on-demand aviation and earned respect and friendship from industry peers around the world.
Neil, from Sale Moor, Manchester, UK, initially applied for a management trainee position at legendary British independent airline Dan Air.
He was instead chosen by parent (shipping company) Davies and Newman to work in their newly established aircraft charter broker company – London Air Taxi Centre – at a time when availability of charter aircraft was scarce.
After three years in London, he went on to work with two aircraft operators in post holder roles – Grosvenor Aviation, flying PA31 Chieftain aircraft and Hatfield Executive, a Learjet specialist.
In 1994, Neil joined Hunt & Palmer, then a small (commercial and executive) aviation brokerage, based just off Oxford Street in London. He was the company’s fourth employee.
His position developed into a role as executive aviation broking manager in 1998 and he helped steer the company through a period of substantial growth.
In 2010, Neil was appointed to the Hunt & Palmer PLC Board and elected to his current role of director of executive aviation, taking responsibility for all Group executive aviation activity, and since 2020, overseeing marketing and communications too.
Neil has also been a highly valued board member of the British Business and General Aviation Association since 2017, supporting its education initiatives and contributing sound counsel to the Board and its Working Groups.
“Neil is every bit Hunt & Palmer (as much as owners Jeremy Palmer and Peter Hunt are),” said fellow director Mark Jenkinson, who has worked with Neil for 29 years.
“We are very lucky to have Neil on our leadership team. He’s often the one who colleagues go to for guidance. He has been a great mentor to many over the years, always level-headed and fair, with knowledge and contacts in the industry that are second to none.
Marwan Khalek, Gama Aviation Group CEO, has worked with Neil for several decades.
As a young broker, Neil arranged charters for Gama’s first Beech Baron and King Air 200.
“I’ve known Neil for over 40 years. Together we have witnessed the heady days of the late 80’s, various recessions, a new millennium, a global pandemic to this period of greater instability.
“While the world may have changed, Neil has always remained a staunch supporter of our industry and has been generous with his time supporting associations and mentoring individuals.
“Personally, Neil is good friend and customer. He is a man of great integrity, honesty, and a wonderful sense of humour. Which is lucky, as being a Manchester United supporter, he is going to need it! Congratulations Neil, this recognition is richly deserved.”