The Strategy Summit Speakers
Tan Sri Bashir
Managing Director, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad
Participating Talks and Sessions
Venggatarao Niadu
Head of Network & Fleet Management , AirAsia X
Participating Talks and Sessions
Dr Hugh Dunleavy
Director Commercial, Malaysia Airlines
Dr. Hugh Dunleavy was appointed Executive Vice-President Network, Alliances and Strategy in January 2012. In June of that year he was appointed Director Commercial in which he is responsible for all Commercial aspects of the airline. His portfolio includes Marketing & Product, Brand, Advertising & Promotions, Sales & Distribution, Network & Fleet Planning, Scheduling, Pricing & Revenue Management, Government Affairs & Airline Partnerships, Commercial Systems including Web and Reservations and Kiosks. Hugh and his team are focused on the optimal deployment of aircraft assets and then maximizing the airline’s revenue stream across all channels, markets and customer segments to ensure that Malaysia Airlines remains profitable and grows faster than the market growth.
Hugh has been working in the airline industry for thirty years and has a solid reputation for delivering high quality results. Prior to joining Malaysia Airlines, Hugh held senior management positions at WestJet, Star Alliance, Air Canada, and Lufthansa Systems. He has a PhD in Theoretical Physics with an undergraduate degree in Physics from Sheffield University in the UK. Hugh has also held the position of Professor of Operations Management at the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. Hugh is a frequent publisher of papers on revenue management and has also been a North American editor for the Journal of Pricing & Revenue Management.
Andrew Cowen
Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Express Airways
24 years in the aviation industry initially with British Airways before focusing on the emerging low cost and business aviation airline sectors. Today, as Deputy Chief Executive, Andrew is leading the transformation of Hong Kong Express into a low cost carrier.
Andrew typically works very closely with airline shareholders/senior management ‘on the ground’ and for
extended periods of time. Holding top-level management positions, his usual role is to guide and direct the creation of new aviation businesses, typically new LCCs, taking them from concept through to launch, and then on through their early growth stages.
Andrew is utilising his LCC background to lead the transformation of Hong Kong Express, into Hong Kong’s low cost airline. HK Express, an existing airline previously operating B737-800s has completed its transition to A320s, and now operates 5 aircraft with a further 6 to be delivered in 2014. Commercial relaunch of the airline has taken place and HK Express is rapidly growing its international network. It now serves 8 destination from Hong Kong – Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Kansai, Tai Chung, Kunming, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), and Penang with further new route launches imminent.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Dr Anurag Jain
Senior Vice President - Network Planning & Revenue Management, SpiceJet
Dr Anurag Jain is Senior Vice President - Network Planning & Revenue Management with Spicejet, a leading low cost carrier in India.
Dr. Jain is a Doctorate in Management from IIM - Bangalore and B. Tech from Kanpur University. He carries total 15 years of work experience and has worked with various airlines like Air Deccan, Kingfisher and Spicejet. He has been a part of the Indian aviation industry ever since the explosive growth started in early 2000s. During this interesting and exciting period, India has seen the market shift from 100% FSC to almost 75% LCC traffic thus changing the dynamics in the industry place. Dr Jain started his aviation career with Air Deccan - India’s pioneering Low Cost Carrier which led the whole Indian civil aviation growth by connecting tier-2 cities and innovative pricing - where he was mandated by the founder Capt Gopinath to set up the Revenue Management function. As a part of Finance at Kingfisher Airlines, he also set up the Risk Management desk. His last assignment was VP – Commercial Strategy and Revenue Management at Kingfisher Airlines.
Dr Jain is a speaker at various international industry conferences and at business schools
Participating Talks and Sessions
Vijay Poonoosamy
Vice President International & Public Affairs, Etihad
Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy, a national of Mauritius, is a barrister (Middle Temple) with a law degree from the University of Nottingham, a Masters degree in International Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Post Graduate Diploma in Air & Space Law from the London Institute of World Affairs and a Certificate in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.
After practising as an Aviation Lawyer in London, Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy joined AirMauritiusin 1988 as Director, Legal and International Affairs and was later appointed its Managing Director. In June 2004 he was appointed Executive Chairman of Airports of Mauritius. He resigned in August 2005 to join Etihad Airways where he is the Vice President International Affairs.
Mr. Vijay Poonoosamy was the Chairman of the historical 1994 World-wide Air Transport Conference of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). He was the Chairman of the 1999 ICAO Special Group on the Modernisation of the Warsaw Convention. He was also Chairman of the Air Transport Committee of the African Civil Aviation Commission, Chairman of the Legal Advisory Council of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Chairman of IATA’s Task Force on International Aviation Issues. He was also the Moderator of the September 2008 ICAO Symposium on the Economics of Airports and Air Navigation Services.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Tara Naidu
Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express
Tara Naidu is the ‘Chief Commercial Officer’ of ‘Air India Express’ since August 2008. Air India Express is a budget airline operating from India to the Middle East and South East Asia. Tara is responsible for Sales/Marketing, Revenue Management, Pricing, Network Planning, Distribution, etc.
Prior to her appointment in Air India Express, she was based in USA for four years. She was initially deputed to Los Angeles, when Air India commenced direct flights from Mumbai, and later to Washington DC responsible for South East USA sales, for Air India.
She has 26 years of experience in the Airline Industry in various capacities. Tara has been instrumental in initiating and successfully implementing many I.T. projects especially in the areas of Airline Reservations and Revenue Management. She has participated and spoken at many Aviation related conferences.
Tara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics and a Master’s degree in Management Studies from Mumbai University.
Participating Talks and Sessions
David Stroud
Director, ASM
David Stroud is the Managing Director of ASM, the world’s leading route development consulting company.
He has over 20 years of aviation industry experience in the fields of route development, marketing, and airport infrastructure development. Formerly of BAe Systems, Manchester Airport and London City Airport, David has been a senior manager with ASM and Routes since 1998. As part of Executive Management team of UBM Aviation and Senior Management team of UBM Live London, David led the Routes business and integration of Airport Cities into the company.
In June 2013, David took up the post of Managing Director, ASM, leading the company into the New Era of Route Development.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Deannath Kulatunge
Regional Head, Asia Pacific Member & External Relations, International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Deannath Kulatunge is the Regional Head, Asia Pacific, Member & External Relations for the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA's mission is to represent, lead and serve the airline industry, and brings together 240 member airlines, and flights by these airlines account for 84% of total air traffic. Deannath joined IATA in 2005, and has been its Country Manager for Sri Lanka, Philippines and Area Manager for Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Brunei & Maldives. He was also involved with IATA’s Simplifying the Business (StB) program in Asia Pacific and was responsible for coordinating Electronic Ticketing and the withdrawal of paper tickets in the region.
Prior to joining IATA, Deannath worked in the Airline Industry with airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Swissair, Airlanka and KLM. During his over two decade career in the airline industry he has worked in airline accounting, reservations and ticketing, sales & marketing, cargo and airport operations.
Deannath is Sri Lankan and is Graduate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK and has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Dr Alan Khee-Jin Tan
Professor of Aviation Law, National University of Singapore
Dr Alan Tan is Professor of Aviation Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law School. Born in Penang, Malaysia and educated at the NUS and Yale Law Schools, Alan teaches and researches into aviation law, shipping law and environmental law. He has been a Hauser Global Visiting Professor at the New York University (NYU) School of Law where he taught Global Aviation Law and Policy.
Alan’s main research interest lies in the liberalization of the aviation industry in Asia. He has been a consultant on aviation liberalization to the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the World Bank, the Indonesian and UAE governments, the ASEAN Airlines Meeting as well as industry players such as Embraer and AirAsia. He also teaches at the Singapore Aviation Academy and the IATA Training and Development Institute. He has worked and written on the ASEAN Single Aviation Market project, the E.U. horizontal mandate and its impact on Asian carriers, airline alliances and antitrust issues as well as the LCC phenomenon. As a leading aviation law scholar, he has published in Air & Space Law, Annals of Air & Space Law, Journal of Air Law & Commerce and CAPA’s Airline Leader. His latest publications in Air & Space Law assess the evolution of the Indian airline industry and alliance antitrust approval for AA/JAL and UA/ANA in Singapore and China.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Lucy Siebert
Editor, Routes News
Lucy Siebert is acting editor of Routes News, the world air service development magazine and official publication of World Routes and the Regional Routes events.
Lucy has covered aviation, airports, travel and tourism for 10 years at a number of different business publications, including as deputy editor of ACI’s Airport World magazine.
She became editor of Routes News in 2008 before moving to then UBM sister title London-based Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) where she headed up the news team as managing editor (news).
Over the past 10 years Lucy has interviewed numerous airline and airport CEOs and tourism ministers, and has covered events including airline mergers, strikes, the Costa Concordia tragedy, Thomas Cook’s financial crisis, the opening of Heathrow T5, and Iceland’s volcanic ash incident.
Lucy has travelled widely and has lived in three different continents. She currently resides in Melbourne, Australia and is passionate about travel, tourism, digital media and customer publishing. Follow her on Twitter: @LucySiebert
Participating Talks and Sessions
Senthil Balan
Commercial Director, AirAsia X
Senthil Balan is the Commercial Director at AirAsia X, overseeing Revenue Management, Marketing Communication, Distribution, Route Planning, Ancillary and Charters. Senthil has been in AirAsia X since its inception in 2007, joining the team in April 2007. During his time, he has helped with the start-up AirAsia X working in various cross functions roles, including being the Head of Route Planning before taking up the Commercial role in 2012.
Beatrice Lim
Director – Industry & Regulatory Affairs, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)
Beatrice Lim joined the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) in July 2005.
In this capacity, she represents the interests of the AAPA and its member airlines on a wide range of commercial, aeropolitical, regulatory and other non-technical issues, working closely with member airlines and other aviation industry stakeholders. With her previous experience working in both the public and private sectors of the aviation industry, Ms Lim brings a broad knowledge of aviation policy issues and fresh ideas to meet the challenges facing AAPA members today.
Ms Lim was previously a Senior Air Transport Manager with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, where her responsibilities included international relations, government-to-government air services negotiations and the development of various aspects of aviation policy. In an earlier role, she was Legal Counsel with Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd, specialising in commercial agreements relating to the company’s aircraft maintenance and support activities in Asia and the United States.
Ms Lim holds a Bachelor of Law honours degree from the National University of Singapore and was admitted to the Singapore Bar in 1996.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Chris Flynn
Regional Director, Pacific, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Mr Chris Flynn, Regional Director-Pacific for the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), is responsible for industry development and liaison within the public and private tourism sectors.
He has 30 years experience in international and domestic tourism having held senior appointments within the airline, deluxe hotel, and high profile entertainment industries. After studying tourism in the United Kingdom, Mr. Flynn worked with both British Airways and Qantas Airways before moving to Australia to take up a position with Ansett Australia.
His vast international experience operating in regions such as UK, Europe, United States, Asia and the Pacific, has given him an intimate knowledge of the industry and the requirements needed to deliver a balanced approach when dealing with a variety of country destinations and associated products.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Ahmad Jauhari
Managing Director/ Group Chief Officer, Malaysia Airlines
Ahmad Jauhari Yahya was appointed Managing Director/Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Airlines in September 2011. He sits on the Boards of various subsidiaries within the Group. He is also a member of the Board of Safety and Security Committee and Board Tender Committee.
Ahmad Jauhari holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Nottingham, UK.
Ahmad Jauhari started his career with ESSO Malaysia Berhad before joining The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad where he rose to the rank of Senior Group General Manager, Production and Circulation, in 1990. He then joined Time Engineering Berhad as Deputy Managing Director in 1992 and was subsequently made Managing Director in the same year.
He then served as Managing Director of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad, and following that as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Malakoff Corporation Bhd, Malaysia’s largest independent power producer for 16 years.
He was also a Director of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad and Chairman of Destination Resorts & Hotels Sdn Bhd. Prior to Ahmad Jauhari’s appointment in Malaysia Airlines, he was Managing Director / CEO of Premium Renewable Energy (M) Sdn Bhd.
He has a vast and diverse working experience in various industries including oil & gas, publication, engineering, power and energy.
He is also experienced at managing organizations on the international front, having served as Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Central Electricity Generating Company Limited (Jordan) and as Director of Shuaibah Expansion Project Company Limited (Saudi Arabia). He was a former Honorary President of Penjanabebas (Association of Independent Power Producers in Malaysia).
Mohamed Sallauddin Mat Sah
General Manager Marketing, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad
Participating Talks and Sessions
Azran Osman-Rani
CEO, AirAsia X
In July 2007, Azran was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X, the world’s pioneer low-cost long-haul airline. He led the start-up team that developed the business plan, raised capital, secured relevant licenses and approvals, acquired aircraft and launched AirAsia X’s first inaugural flight to the Gold Coast, Australia in November 2007.
Prior to his appointment, Azran was formerly the Senior Director of Business Development for Astro All Asia Networks plc, a leading Asian digital satellite television and radio broadcaster, where he led the start-up and operational launch of Astro’s international investments and joint ventures across Southeast Asia, India and Greater China – having oversight management responsibility for a portfolio of over US$300 million invested in these businesses.
Azran was formerly an Associate Partner of McKinsey & Company, an international management consultancy, where he co-led its Southeast Asia Corporate Finance & Strategy practice.
He holds a Masters degree in Management Science and a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, both from Stanford University. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia.
He was formerly on the Board of Directors of Tourism Malaysia. A prolific international speaker, he has been invited as one of the Young Leaders at the 2010 World Islamic Economic Forum and represented Malaysia as one of Asia Society’s 2009 Asia 21 Delegates. He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organisation (YPO).
Participating Talks and Sessions
Ramon Jimenez
Honourable Secretary, Philippines Department of Tourism
Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. was appointed as Secretary of Tourism by President Benigno S. Aquino III in September 2011. Prior to this appointment, he spent 35 years in the field of advertising, starting his career with Ace Compton Advertising to Ace-Saatchi and Saatchi Advertising, Jimenez Basic Advertising, and finally WOO Consultants. His work in advertising has been closely associated with the steady and tremendous success of many home-grown Philippine brands.
Secretary Jimenez is the man behind the country’s tourism campaign, "It’s More Fun in the Philippines." With his marketing communications experience, Secretary Jimenez aims to build enough energy around tourism to give the Philippines a positive image. Under his leadership, the DOT has actively espoused policy reforms and embarked on convergence projects with government agencies and the private sector. He hopes to transform the DOT into a primary selling unit with the ultimate goal of not only improving statistics, but also ensuring that every tourism success would include and benefit as many Filipinos as possible.
Participating Talks and Sessions
Mario Formica
VP Sales Studies & Marketing, ATR- Avions de Transport Regional
Mario Formica leads a team responsible for Product Marketing, Product Development, Competition, Technical Sales, Strategic Marketing and forecasting, providing support services to sales and product strategies and commercial activities for the ATR family of aircraft.
He began his career in Alenia Aeronautica, Naples in 1984 as an airline analyst in Marketing Department and joined ATR Toulouse in 1989. After spending four years in various positions in Sales & Commercial Department, he was promoted to Director, Sales Engineering in 1993. Between 1995 and 1998 he was VP of the Technical Sales Division with direct involvement in major ATR sales campaigns, heading a multi-national AI(R) team.
Mario holds a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and is a lecturer at the MBA Aerospace Ecole Supérieure Commerce, Ecole National Aviation Civile, Toulouse and at IAE Institut d’Administration des Entreprises.
Mario is part of the ATAG Board (Air Transport Action Group).
Participating Talks and Sessions
Richa Goyal, Director
Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group
Richa Goyal Sikri, 38, is the Director at STIC Travel Group; the leading travel solution provider in India and South Asia. Based out of Gurgaon, Richa is the Director for Group Business Development at STIC.
Richa brings along 18 years of experience from tourism and aviation industry specializing in launching international premium travel and hospitality brands in India; conceptualizing and managing their establishment, strategizing and planning the marketing activities along with monitoring sales and revenue targets for all the products throughout the network. She is also responsible for business development activities for the group internationally and has the credit of launching international brands like Virgin Atlantic, Continental Airlines and Wyndham Hotel Group, to name a few, in India. She proficiently spearheads a team of professionals across the nation.
Having completed graduation in Commerce from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University, Richa pursued Masters in Business Administration from International Management Institute, New Delhi.
Richa holds the credit for re-establishing “Student Travel Information Centre”- the student division of STIC Travel Group, during her graduation days, and re-introducing the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) in India. She heads the product development program for ISIC, initiating marketing and distribution activities along with building a nation-wide network of sales teams to promote the product throughout the nation. She was also selected as the “Face of the ISIC” at the World Youth & Student Travel Confederation in 1994. Since the re-launch of the ISIC in 1994, Richa has been instrumental in establishing academic and financial co-brands with the leading universities and banks in India. She has also been selected to serve on the international board of the ISIC Association since 2008.
Her interests include traveling, singing and reading. She is a trained Odissi dancer and a judo expert. She is married to Mr. Rohan Sikri, Managing Partner, Xander Advisors India Pvt. Ltd.
A skilled professional, an enthusiast and a seasoned businesswoman, Richa truly believes in the virtue of hard work, strategic planning and futuristic thought process for the successful functioning of any business.
Adrian Newton
Group Director, UBM Live, UBM
Adrian Newton is Group Director of the Transport and Technology division of UBM; a leading global events-led marketing and communications services business. Based in London he is responsible for an international portfolio of products which serve professionals within the air route development, airport, air traffic control, digital marketing and eCommerce communities through a combination of trade shows, conferences, websites and consultancy services.
Adrian has over 17 years experience working within the business-to-business media sector. His career started with the UK’s leading publisher of magazines and information services for the construction sector and since 2003 he has worked for UBM. During his tenure at UBM he has managed a wide variety of brands serving a diverse range of markets including security, occupational safety, leisure, healthcare and construction.