In the world of business aviation, Rizon Jet is a hybrid business, and, unlike many of its competitors, has achieved results across a range of different areas in their industry. Their ability to be versatile, intuitive, perceptive and at times controversial, is what has really kept the business alive for so many years. Pulling the strings behind this innovative business is Allan McGreal, and he spoke to us about his holistic approach and how he views himself as more than just a CEO.
Company: Rizon Jet Name: Allan McGreal Email: Allan.mcgreal@rizonjet.com Web: www.rizonjet.com Address: Churchill Way, London Biggin Hill Airport, Kent, TN16 3BN, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 1959 543 100
In only four years of operation, Rizon Jet has achieved remarkable success winning three internationally acclaimed awards as the Number 1 Business Aviation facility in the EMEA and Russia. Going forward, the business strives to be an international gateway to and from London by virtue of offering VIP flight services as a luxury Fixed Base Operator (FBO – a VIP Terminal for Business Aviation). Their clients have included some highly influential figures such as Heads and Ministers of State, as well as many well-known celebrities. Nonetheless, Rizon Jet places the same level of importance and dedication to each and every one of its clients. Alongside maintaining large corporate aircrafts such as the Bombardier Global Express and Challenger family, Rizon Jet also manages the arrival and departure of aircraft, crews, passengers and all of the associated needs and desires of the modern business traveller. In providing such a diverse range of services, Rizon Jet exploits every aspect of its award winning facility. This can range from intimate product launches and society dinners, to huge 3,500 seated BBC Concerts that are broadcasted across the globe. According to McGreal, ‘diversity’ is a word that defines their company and is what truly distinguishes them from their competitors. “Rizon Jet is breaking the mould in modern business aviation’s reliance upon its core business of engineering and operations to fund the business into growth,” says McGreal. “The facility design, completion, and operability was achieved to allow the greatest diversity of use possible, for three main reasons. Firstly, to provide a greater return on the investment. Secondly, for improved access for clients to exploit the space, their aircraft and use. And lastly, for vast gains in PR and marketing to celebrate the industry, the investment and its potential. “The team of people who deliver such diversity are remarkable in their own right and truly are an eclectic collection of talent,” says McGreal. “Each and every one of them contributes to making sure that the capacity, creativity and competence of the business is maintained for the next four years, ensuring that another 23,000 passengers, 17,000 aircraft and 13,000 visitors can be safely and profitably received through the hangar and VIP terminal.” Unsurprisingly, the day-to-day running of a company such as this encompasses a wide a range of responsibilities, where McGreal may have to go beyond the typical tasks attributed to the role of CEO. “I could be called many things throughout my time as the business leader of Rizon Jet, and ‘CEO’ is not always the most accurate description,” says McGreal. “Although I’m sure that this is also true for many of my peers, I always find it enjoyable to
occupy a different role in the company whenever the opportunity arises. I have found that this occurs more often than not, but in any case it’s a rewarding experience to have access and to experience the roles of others in the company.” As Chief Executive and given that commercial aviation is one of the most heavily regulated of environments, McGreal has a truly significant set of responsibilities. “I am accountable across the normal corporate and fiscal responsibilities as any executive might be,” says McGreal. “But there are additional and significant responsibilities to state regulators typically from the US FAA, UK CAA, EASA, Cayman, Bermuda, Aruba and Qatar States. These regulations are all implemented for the safe and efficient management of aviation services, engineering and flight.” As well as these obligations, McGreal is also in charge of providing sufficient resources to run the business to enable directors and management. “As an independent Aviation Company, we don’t rely on a network of sibling organisations to generate business,” McGreall explains. “As a result, we rarely develop strategies that are outside of the regulated business but we are not inclined to follow convention. For example, my role looks primarily at the three main profit generators: engineering, operations and hospitality. Each of these allow for a growth in ideas, but I find that the real benefit of my role is to provide a positive signal of safety and compliance while also giving them enough space to act in safeguarding the political and economic climate affecting the business. “Although my role can be quite different from the typical CEO, there is an equally important aspect to my job which many of my peers in this industry would recognise immediately. This, of course, is one of political competence and of being a good neighbour. Airports is as a business, where we live and unfortunately, such places are where others live too who are to a greater or lesser extent reliant upon the airports. This modern necessity can instil volatile reactions and managing these is becoming an increasingly important and very necessary role.” Prior to Rizon Jet, McGreal began his career in aviation in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, serving aboard Aircraft Carriers. Throughout his career, he has worked across a variety of areas in the aviation sector, and believes that this has given him a distinct advantage in his role today as CEO of Rizon Jet. “The main value of my experience is that I have at least touched on almost every aspect of flying, which includes military service, production and test with British Aerospace (BAE SYSTEMS), as well scheduled airline engineering involving design and repair authority and fleet management with British Airways. Acquisition International - January 2016 37