ACS Board of Directors

Chris Leach, Chairman
As the son of a pilot, Chris Leach has always had aviation in his blood. Starting out with Saturn Airways in the 1970’s Chris has experience of almost every aspect of the aviation business from dealing with passenger flights all over Europe to his role in Sudan in the early 80’s with Transamerica airlines where he co-ordinated aircraft during the great famine transporting personnel & aid. He founded ACS in 1990 from the basement of his home in Kingston. His knowledge of the aviation market won him several key contracts for passenger and cargo flights with organisations such as the United Nations. Deciding never to take a bank loan, but instead to grow the business organically, Chris re-invested heavily in the business and grew ACS from its humble beginnings to the global business it is today. His key beliefs have always remained that personal service is what the airline industry is all about and that if you go the extra mile for the customer, they will always come back and as a result the business will grow.

Tony Bauckham, Managing Director
A calm and level headed leader, Tony brings a wealth of experience to Air Charter Service. With one of the most impressive CVs in the industry, his previous positions have included Executive Vice President of Evergreen International Airlines in the US as well as Managing Director of Volga Dnepr airlines who operate the massive Antonov 124’s base out of Stansted airport. However like Chris Leach, Tony worked his way up quickly from the bottom gaining massive amounts of experience along the way. Previously used as an expert commentator on the charter industry for Bloomberg TV as well as The Financial Times, his expertise are widely recognised outside of ACS.

Justin Bowman, Commercial Director
You would be hard pressed to find anyone more enthusiastic about aviation than Justin. Famed for his encyclopaedic knowledge of aircraft, and a keen pilot in his spare time, Justin has been one of the most trusted and successful air charter experts in Europe over the past 15 years. A true professional, Justin keeps a close eye on every account manager in the company and is driven by the desire for perfection in all aspects of the business. Justin is a business graduate who has been working for ACS his entire career and is a key member of the ACS board.

Stewart Pitt, Financial Director
Stewart Pitt is another hugely experienced member of the ACS management team. Stewart qualified as an ACA with KPMG in 1997 and since then has held positions as Finance Manager at British Airways and as a senior business accountant at the London Stock Exchange where he managed financial planning & forecasting processes as well as being involved in several bid defense projects. Stewart’s knowledge and experience has proved invaluable since his arrival and has resulted in ACS being one of the most financially secure charter companies in the country.

Christine Leach, Company Secretary and Treasurer
Christine initially set up and ran the accounting side of the business until the arrival of Stewart Pitt. Her career has included positions at major company’s including American Avitron, Lear Siegler and British Aerospace. Having run the company’s finances from humble beginnings Christine has a unique knowledge of the different faces of aviation finance to the extent that she has even pointed out a thing or two to the Inland Revenue, in regards to certain aviation taxes.

Christopher Foyle, Non-Executive Director
Christopher Foyle is a name synonymous with aviation having been a leading figure in aviation since he started in the business 31 years ago. He created Air Foyle Ltd in 1977, an executive air charter company which over time became a cargo airline operating a fleet of heavy cargo aircraft. It was on Air Foyle’s airline operating certificate that Easyjet first operated its aircraft. Christopher is currently Chairman of Foyle’s Bookshops in London as well as continuing to hold a number of senior positions within the aviation industry, including being Chairman of the Air League, a Trustee and Board Member of TIACA (The International Air Cargo Association) and Chairman of the British Cargo Airline Alliance (BCAA).

David Malempre, Non-Executive Director
David is a specialist aviation Lawyer who has worked for some of the industries top names. Known for his quick wit and friendly demeanour, David is well respected in the industry. Along with advising the company on legal issues, David also trains ACS staff in aviation law.