Key Personnel
With over 100 years experience in travel and aviation across the team, we have the most extensive network of contacts and reputable carriers.
Mark Hawkins
Industry experience: 30 years
Mark founded the company in 2005 having spent the previous 10 years in senior operational roles within the travel and aviation industry.
With 30 years of industry experience, Mark takes a hands-on approach to running the business and still works closely with many of our long-standing sports travel clients, organising group charters for the Six Nations and Champions League, as well as ACMI and aircraft leasing projects.
Charlotte Sobol
Industry experience: 20 years
Charlotte has been with us since the company was founded in 2005 and knows the business inside out. Day-to-day, she manages accounts and human resources and is responsible for keeping all operations running smoothly at our office near London Gatwick.
Charlotte is no stranger to a hi-vis jacket and often oversees group charter flights for key sporting events in Europe. She also manages and supports the sales and marketing team.
Matt Feldon
Industry experience: 13 years
Matt oversees the operations of both our commercial aircraft and private jet charter departments, supporting all members of the team, building on our long-standing supplier relationships and assisting our valued clients with their travel requirements.
Matt began his aviation career at Smart Aviation in 2014 as a trainee Aircraft Charter Broker and after a short ‘hiatus’ in positions at other global aircraft charter brokers, returned ‘home’ bringing with him over a decade’s worth of industry experience.
James Gregory
Industry experience: 12 years
James works in our full charter team and specialises in VIP private jet charter – everything from ad-hoc private flights to complex music tours.
James studied Airline and Airport Operations at college before starting his career at a major charter broker, where he worked in the flight operations team. James has an excellent knowledge of the private jet charter market and is able to react quickly to provide bespoke solutions for our clients.
Laura Mitchell
Industry experience: 7 years
Laura has worked for Smart Aviation twice in her career, rejoining in 2024 to oversee all our marketing activities.
Laura’s career started in event management before progressing to roles in brand management and digital marketing, including working for a well known airline loyalty program.