CAA International (CAAi), the technical cooperation arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA), has appointed Mattijs Smith as its new Head of International Development.
Smith joins CAAi as successor to Matthew Margesson, who recently took on the role of Head of International Operations. Smith will be responsible for CAAi’s international strategic development to help achieve the organisation’s vision; a world where every State has a sustainable aviation system protecting those who fly and those who do not. The role will report to CAAi Managing Director, Maria Rueda.
Before joining CAAi, Smith spent the last two years working at Dutch cooperative Royal FloraHolland, as Director of Commercial Development. Before that, he held several senior positions including Director of Strategic Business Development (Aviation) at Royal HaskoningDHV and Managing Director of Kilimanjaro International Airport. In 2002, he joined Europe’s third busiest airport, Schiphol Airport, as Manager of Corporate Strategy and Development. In 2005, he rose to Director of International Strategy & Business Development for Schiphol Group, responsible for the acquisition and strategic development of the international participations. Smith is also an official Training Instructor for IATA in the areas of Strategic Airport Management and Airport Route Development and Commercial Management.
“We couldn’t be more delighted for Mattijs to join our senior management team” commented Rueda. “Attracting someone of Mattijs’ calibre is a great endorsement of our strategy and ambition. He has an excellent reputation in the aviation community and a strong passion for aviation and what we do. He will play a significant role in our future, and I look forward to working closely with him”.
Upon his appointment, Smith said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the CAA International. In recent years, I’ve seen the CAAi grow from strength-to-strength, with notable successes in Thailand and Kuwait. I am thrilled to now be part of CAAi’s journey to help improve aviation standards across the world, and supporting ICAO, EASA and other key institutions in pursuit of a safe and secure aviation system for all”.
For more information, please contact Stuart Coates, Senior Manager – International Marketing & Communications; stuart.coates@caa.co.uk
