The former Managing Director of bmibaby one of Europe’s largest low cost airlines, David is an outstanding business speaker who provides both a valuable and a highly amusing business insight and into a side of the aviation industry the passenger rarely sees…
Charles Darwin is probably well down the list of people you might consider as a role model for a businessman, but David Byron says his works were a real inspiration to him. “He believed in getting all the evidence first hand (hence all the travelling), and then evaluating and making logical and lateral conclusions,” says David. “His resultant theories were all the more impressive because they flew in the face of public and professional opinion at the time. I still believe that to be successful regardless of your profession you have to think outside of the box and be prepared to challenge and change.
David has his energies fixed on building up his own company as well as speaking at a number of business events as well as undertaking regular after-dinner speaking engagements relating tales from the airline industry.
David started in business by accident spending 11 years at Liverpool University doing a degree, PhD and finally some research. He was then given the opportunity to go to America and work at a University in South Carolina. Business is integrated with academia in America (far more so than in the UK), and so he found himself working with small businesses and learning how they worked. He also hosted a talk show on regional cable TV and wrote a weekly newspaper humour column.
David was then offered a position with BMI back in the UK, which he accepted. After two years working for the parent airline, the directors set-up bmibaby with David involved from the start. He was appointed commercial director in 2003 and managing director at the start of 2005. The company grew phenomenally - in just four years the management team took it from nothing to carrying nearly four million passengers.
From running an airline to becoming a well known speaker – it’s a full life – an enviable one – but it’s not been without tragedy, and David has learned to put things into perspective – something that he wishes others could. “My wife and I lost our son to meningitis when he was just 10 months old,” he says. “It was very sudden and our lives were shattered. Immediately everything was put into perspective, and I therefore get frustrated when people place too much emphasis on things that are actually not that important.”
An outstanding business speaker David's sense of humour and airline knowledge also provide a hilarious and unique insight into the aviation industry that the passenger rarely sees…, and he has already established a reputation as an after dinner speaker. His media background also means he is the perfect event host or facilitator, capable of injecting humour into any occasion
Five things to know about David Byron
• First job: researcher at the University of Liverpool after a PhD, but in terms of the real world it was with bmi.
• Dream job: He’d happily settle for a job as a talk show host on national television and eventually would like to write a book or two… but then doesn’t everybody!”
• Music: A complete contrast - Stereophonics and Jimmy Buffet!
• Best advice received: Don’t fire off a response to a hostile email without thinking long and hard about the consequences… it’s probably best to wait 24 hours!
• Unwinds by: golf, running, waterskiing and spending quality time with his wife, Emma and their two small daughters Izzie and Lucie.
Testimonials
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Just wanted to say thank you very much for last night. Everyone I have spoken to said they thought you were excellent as did I. You were a real asset to have on the night so thank you.
Emma Fagan
Event Manager
Northern Marketing Awards
Newcastle, 2008
We’ve had great feedback from your after dinner speech David. It was an important audience with over 30 countries represented, so your material was perfect, funny and didn’t offend!
Nicky Simon
Event Manager
International Cotton Association Annual Dinner
Liverpool, 2008
Thanks for your email and pleased to report Catherine Gough our contact was delighted with your speech. She said it was `fantastic’ and `the audience participation went down really well with the guests’. Many thanks for that and look forward to working with you again soon
Jane French, The Right Address Ltd
British Ports Annual dinner, 2008
“The feedback from our client has been excellent. Naturally this was an interesting assignment and a possibly difficult audience. However, they were delighted with your whole presentation and subsequent workshop. The TV coverage for the client on CNBC was most welcome too.”
Ben Myatt, Celebrity Speakers
Kuwait, 2007
Al Ritaj investment conference, Keynote speaker following Prime minister
“Thank you David for speaking at GAD and chairing the day. You were the perfect foil for Sir Ranulph. The feedback so far has been resoundingly positive.”
Victoria Chatterton, Conference Director
Amsterdam, 2007
GAD annual conference, keynote with Sir Ranulph Fiennes
David has his energies fixed on building up his own company as well as speaking at a number of business events as well as undertaking regular after-dinner speaking engagements relating tales from the airline industry.
David started in business by accident spending 11 years at Liverpool University doing a degree, PhD and finally some research. He was then given the opportunity to go to America and work at a University in South Carolina. Business is integrated with academia in America (far more so than in the UK), and so he found himself working with small businesses and learning how they worked. He also hosted a talk show on regional cable TV and wrote a weekly newspaper humour column.
David was then offered a position with BMI back in the UK, which he accepted. After two years working for the parent airline, the directors set-up bmibaby with David involved from the start. He was appointed commercial director in 2003 and managing director at the start of 2005. The company grew phenomenally - in just four years the management team took it from nothing to carrying nearly four million passengers.
From running an airline to becoming a well known speaker – it’s a full life – an enviable one – but it’s not been without tragedy, and David has learned to put things into perspective – something that he wishes others could. “My wife and I lost our son to meningitis when he was just 10 months old,” he says. “It was very sudden and our lives were shattered. Immediately everything was put into perspective, and I therefore get frustrated when people place too much emphasis on things that are actually not that important.”
An outstanding business speaker David's sense of humour and airline knowledge also provide a hilarious and unique insight into the aviation industry that the passenger rarely sees…, and he has already established a reputation as an after dinner speaker. His media background also means he is the perfect event host or facilitator, capable of injecting humour into any occasion
Five things to know about David Byron
• First job: researcher at the University of Liverpool after a PhD, but in terms of the real world it was with bmi.
• Dream job: He’d happily settle for a job as a talk show host on national television and eventually would like to write a book or two… but then doesn’t everybody!”
• Music: A complete contrast - Stereophonics and Jimmy Buffet!
• Best advice received: Don’t fire off a response to a hostile email without thinking long and hard about the consequences… it’s probably best to wait 24 hours!
• Unwinds by: golf, running, waterskiing and spending quality time with his wife, Emma and their two small daughters Izzie and Lucie.
Testimonials
---
Just wanted to say thank you very much for last night. Everyone I have spoken to said they thought you were excellent as did I. You were a real asset to have on the night so thank you.
Emma Fagan
Event Manager
Northern Marketing Awards
Newcastle, 2008
We’ve had great feedback from your after dinner speech David. It was an important audience with over 30 countries represented, so your material was perfect, funny and didn’t offend!
Nicky Simon
Event Manager
International Cotton Association Annual Dinner
Liverpool, 2008
Thanks for your email and pleased to report Catherine Gough our contact was delighted with your speech. She said it was `fantastic’ and `the audience participation went down really well with the guests’. Many thanks for that and look forward to working with you again soon
Jane French, The Right Address Ltd
British Ports Annual dinner, 2008
“The feedback from our client has been excellent. Naturally this was an interesting assignment and a possibly difficult audience. However, they were delighted with your whole presentation and subsequent workshop. The TV coverage for the client on CNBC was most welcome too.”
Ben Myatt, Celebrity Speakers
Kuwait, 2007
Al Ritaj investment conference, Keynote speaker following Prime minister
“Thank you David for speaking at GAD and chairing the day. You were the perfect foil for Sir Ranulph. The feedback so far has been resoundingly positive.”
Victoria Chatterton, Conference Director
Amsterdam, 2007
GAD annual conference, keynote with Sir Ranulph Fiennes
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