Cardiff Aviation suspends Managing Director & hires restructuring expert

St Athan-based aircraft maintenance company, Cardiff Aviation Ltd, has suspended Managing Director Martyn Anderson and terminated his appointment as a director.

The company didn’t comment on the exact reasons but sources within the company have cited ‘operational irregularities’ which are currently under investigation.

At the same time that Cardiff Aviation terminated Martyn Anderson’s directorship with Companies House, it appointed Joachim Jones as the new Cheif Executive Officer, Mr Jones is an advisor who specialises in restructuring aviation companies and he has previously worked for Lufthansa Technick and FAI Aviation Group. He will be in charge of managing the company’s MRO and training operations

On his appointment, Mr Jones said: “Cardiff Aviation has an eager, skilled and flexible team that can handle anything including C-checks on aircraft as large as a Boeing 767. That capability has already attracted major airlines, including TUI, into our hangars, who’ve been impressed by our standards. The UK has a shortage of MRO providers, so this is a very exciting time to grow a business with a great pedigree, and a very bright future.”

Cardiff Aviation was set up by Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson but struggled to gain a foothold in the MRO market with the company and on several occasions has made staff cuts and has been unable to pay wages.

It was given a lifeline recently with a 5 year contract from TUI to pick up non-routine maintenance work on its Boeing 737 & 757 fleet as well as helping with the end of use programme for TUI’s Boeing 767 fleet.

The company has been seeking a cash investor for some time and rumours started in 2017 that Mr Anderson was working on an “alternative plan” for investment that had a attracted a middle-east investor. It is understood that this would have effectively pushed Mr Dickinson out of the business sparking rumours of a power stuggle within the company.

Speaking about Mr Anderson’s suspension a spokesperson for Cardiff Aviation Ltd said: “Martyn Anderson is currently suspended, pending an investigation.”.

Commenting on Mr Jones’ appointment, Cardiff Aviation Chairman Bruce Dickinson said: “Joachim Jones is phenomenally experienced at developing major aviation businesses. I’m delighted to welcome him to the Board, as he’ll enable our team and facilities to truly reach the massive potential of both our sites at St Athan and Cardiff Airport”

Cardiff Aviation Ltd was started with funding from the Welsh Government and controversially, in 2017 was “let off” a huge sum of unpaid rent for its hangar at St Athan.