Emily Williams, co-founder of IW Aviation and The ACA board member since 2021, will take over from incumbent chair Kevin Ducksbury.
Global trade body The Air Charter Association (The ACA) has confirmed Emily Williams as its next chair, sharing the news with members at the Air Charter Excellence Awards ceremony in London on 8 October.
Williams is the co-founder and director of UK business aviation consultancy IW Aviation and has served as an ACA board member since 2021. She succeeds Kevin Ducksbury, who has held the role for the past seven years. Williams will formally take on the responsibilities of chair from 1 January 2027.
Ducksbury has overseen a period of significant growth for the association. Under his tenure, The ACA has grown to 454 members across 64 countries and significantly expanded its executive team, allowing it to better deliver value for members and the wider industry.
Williams will seek to continue this through initiatives such as The ACA Internship, the NextGen Group, Fly Legal Day and specialist air charter training programmes including the Air Charter Qualification, The Broker Qualification and the Air Charter Essentials Certificate, with a particular focus on supporting the next generation of air charter professionals.
Emily Williams, chair, The ACA, says: “There are so many outstanding initiatives, but I am particularly keen on supporting the ongoing progress of The ACA Internship, which has been so successful already in helping talented young people start their careers in air charter.”
Williams will also oversee a fresh addition to the industry calendar, the inaugural Air Charter Expo Regional - Europe. The event takes place at AERO Friedrichshafen from 14–16 April 2027, providing a platform for the air charter industry to come together in Europe.
Kevin Ducksbury, outgoing chair, The ACA, adds: “I look forward to passing over the reins on 1st January and am confident that the association is in great hands moving forward.”
