Gama Aviation has appointed Ceri Schunmann to the newly created role of Chief of Staff, reporting directly to Group CEO, Marwan Khalek.

Ceri moves into the position from his role as Director of Rotary, where he played a central part in establishing Bond Helicopters and reintroducing the respected name to UK offshore aviation.

The appointment strengthens Gama Aviation’s focus on turning strategic priorities into coordinated action and measurable results. Working across the Group, Ceri will support greater alignment, pace and accountability as the business moves into its next phase of performance and development.

From rotary leadership to a Group-wide role

Ceri brings extensive leadership and operational experience gained across military service and commercial rotary aviation.

His early career in the Royal Navy provided a strong foundation in disciplined execution, teamwork and decision-making within complex, safety-critical environments. He subsequently built a successful career in commercial aviation, holding senior operational and leadership positions within the rotary sector.

Most recently, Ceri has led Gama Aviation’s rotary operations and played a key role in establishing Bond Helicopters. This included helping to build the operational platform, leadership structure and capabilities required to return the Bond name to the UK offshore energy market.

This combination of military experience, commercial understanding and hands-on operational leadership gives Ceri a valuable perspective as he takes on responsibilities extending across the wider Gama Aviation Group.

Turning priorities into action

As Chief of Staff, Ceri will work closely with the Managing Directors of Gama Aviation’s five business areas and the Group Services teams.

His focus will be on connecting expertise, resources, and priorities across the organisation, enabling teams to work with even greater alignment and pace. By bringing a Group-wide perspective, Ceri will help identify opportunities to share best practice, increase efficiency and accelerate initiatives that support sustainable growth and stronger business performance.

The newly created role builds on the strength of Gama Aviation’s existing leadership teams and reflects the growth potential across its five business areas. Working alongside leaders across the organisation, Ceri will strengthen the connection between strategy and delivery, helping the Group realise the full value of its people, capabilities and investments while ensuring safety, compliance and good governance remain fundamental to every decision.

Ceri will be based in Norwich and will spend time across Gama Aviation’s operations as the new role becomes embedded.

Bringing Performance Driven to life

The appointment reflects Gama Aviation’s continued commitment to drawing on the capability, experience, and talent already within the business.

It also brings the Group value, Performance Driven, to life in a practical way by strengthening the connection between strategy, action, and results. Ceri’s experience of building teams, leading complex operations and delivering within demanding environments will support Gama Aviation as it maintains momentum and continues improving performance across the organisation.

Marwan Khalek, Group CEO, commented:

“Ceri is someone who makes things happen. He understands complex operations, knows how to bring people together and maintains a clear focus on delivery. We have seen those qualities through the role he played in building Bond Helicopters.

“As Chief of Staff, he will apply these strengths across the Group, working with our leaders and teams to connect expertise, increase alignment and identify further opportunities for continual improvement. His operational experience and sound judgement will be extremely valuable as we bring our capabilities together more effectively and efficiently, enabling us to deliver even greater consistency, value, and positive outcomes for our clients.”

Ceri Schunmann, Chief of Staff, added:

“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved within our rotary operations and of the team behind Bond Helicopters. This new role gives me the opportunity to apply that experience more widely across Gama Aviation.

“I am looking forward to working with colleagues throughout the Group, helping turn our priorities into practical action and supporting our teams to deliver. Safety, compliance, and good governance will remain at the heart of every decision as we build on the progress already made and continue moving the business forward.”

Ceri’s appointment as Chief of Staff took effect on 30 July 2026. An orderly transition of his previous responsibilities is now under way.