Waves appoints former senior civil servant as new CEO

Wednesday 20 June 2018

The Channel Islands' former Director of Civil Aviation has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the inter-island aviation business Waves.

Gus Paterson, was only appointed as a senior civil servant in Guernsey's Education, Sport and Culture department in December 2017, before taking up his post in February 2018 - he announced earlier this month he is leaving the role to take up a post in the private sector.

Prior to his brief stint with ESC, Mr Paterson had been the pan-island Director of Civil Aviation since 2014. He was responsible for all aspects of aviation safety and security regulation, including airports, airlines and air traffic control. Waves said that experience, which amounts to 18 years working in operational and management roles within the aviation industry, will be beneficial in his new post as the role "has given him a unique insight to the local aviation environment and stands him in perfect stead to take up the reins at Waves."

Pictured: Gus Paterson.

Before moving to the Channel Islands, Mr Paterson worked in a variety of roles at NATS, the UK provider of air traffic services and at airports including Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol where he managed teams in "complex and demand-led environments."

He is a qualified air traffic controller, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and holds a law degree from BPP University.

Pictured: Nick Magliocchetti, Waves founder.

Mr Paterson said he is really excited to be joining Waves. "The company has already made a major impact in the Channel Islands aviation market; my vision is to really make Waves the airline of choice for travellers here, offering a reliable, flexible and - above all - safe service that the islands can be proud of."

Waves founder Nick Magliocchetti said Mr Paterson is the ideal candidate for his firm. “I couldn’t think of anyone better to take on the role for our Channel Islands business," he added. "Gus’s invaluable experience will bring a completely new and fresh dynamic to the team and our company. This appointment not only provides confidence and assurance to our investors and customers but allows us the opportunity to focus squarely on the local airline business and extend our international team who will now be more focussed on the licensing of our technology around the world and really putting Guernsey on the map."