SUPPORTING SUCCESS IN THE AVIATION SECTOR
SUPPORTING SUCCESS IN THE AVIATION SECTOR
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ncompassing the likes of airlines, airports, manufacturers, and service providers, the aviation industry is estimated to be worth a staggering $841.5 billion (2023). The value is only increasing too, with 2023 indicating a 7% increase on the year before.
As well as the financial importance of the sector, it also provides 87.7 million jobs worldwide. With the figures in mind, it is obvious then that the industry must be supported by robust and experienced lawyers. Business Enquirer spoke with Anna Anatolitou, Partner at DAC Beachcroft and specialist in aviation law, about why the firm has become one of the most renowned.
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DACB PROJECT DIRECTED BY: PARIS CRESSY ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: LAURA WATLING
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Anna Anatolitou, Partner at DAC Beachcroft
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DACB An A-Z of Services Offering over 1,200 lawyers, included in its team of over 3000, DAC Beachcroft (DACB) supports businesses across the world, with one main goal: to help its clients succeed. Whilst technology means a business can be accessed no matter its location, DACB is represented in more than 40 locations, spanning UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, North Americaand Latin America. In terms of sectors, there’s not much that DACB doesn’t have expertise in, with its A-Z of services covering everything from Banking, Construction and Engineering, and Data Protection, to Insurance, Retail, and Tax. And in the ‘As’? Advocacy, and of course, Aviation. Anna and her female team of aviation experts joined DACB in Q3 2023, enabling the firm to expand its existing, impressive offering in the aviation industry, headed by one of her former colleagues, Alex Stovold. DACB has become synonymous with providing a full-spectrum service in the industries it supports. For the aviation sector this includes providing advice to airlines, general aviation operators, MROs, ground handling companies, aviation security companies and product manufacturers in both the civilian and defence spheres. “We’re particularly focused on providing aviation advice to the insurance industry, acting for insurers, reinsurers and their insured clients, wherever needed,” explained Anna. DACB’s offering extends well beyond insured liabilities to: assisting aviation sector clients in risk management; commercial litigation; commercial transactions (from Ts & Cs to aircraft acquisition and MRO agreements); and regulatory advice. “With the expertise of colleagues in other departments, we can also advise clients
on everything else they might need as a business from employment and property to corporate, such as M & A, JVs and company secretarial, immigration, tax, data… the list is long!". Notably, the business’s team members have a strong track record of acting on "major losses", including the famous losses of Concorde and Lockerbie, and the Shoreham Airshow loss in 2015 which is known for being one of the largest UK general aviation losses in over a decade. The team has also advised on dozens of other major losses for both commercial airlines and general aviation in multiple different jurisdictions, covering the Middle East, Asia, North and Latin America, Africa and Asia. The team is currently handling a number of significant, but at this stage, confidential matters. An Ethical Approach With 25 years of experience in aviation law, Anna too has played a role in her fair share of major incidents (around twenty to date), with her first major case being the loss of Air France Flight 4590, in which a Concorde passenger jet crashed shortly after take-off. A career that has seen Anna travel the world, she spent the first seven years of her career at Beaumont & Son/Clyde & Co, which saw her take secondments to leading Aviation boutique firm Condon & Forsyth in New York and a year’s secondment to work with Emirates Group in Dubai. The latter, she said, “sparked a love for the Middle East, as well as for “entrepreneurial roles””. Anna then moved to one of France's leading firms, Gide Loyrette Nouel, followed by Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, before she was approached for a role back in the Middle East with Norton Rose Fulbright. “After my time at Norton Rose in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, I was offered an opportunity to go back to an in-house Business Enquirer Magazine · Issue 122
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role at Air Arabia Group, as its first General Counsel in 10 years of operations,” Anna shared, “It’s here that I got the opportunity to see the industry from an internal perspective and the commercial realities. It was really eye-opening and has since given me a unique perspective to offer clients”. Prior to joining DACB, Anna returned to the UK as a Partner at Ince & Co, where she headed the firm's market leading Travel group. Reaching out to DACB on Ince & Co’s collapse, Anna was astounded at how quickly she and her team were onboarded to the firm. “Within a week of reaching out to DACB, all the due diligence had taken place and we were warmly welcomed into the firm,” she said, “It's a testament to DACB’s attitude. Our first taste of DACB was not only impressive, but really welcoming. The culture at DACB is one of the reasons why its client engagement is of such a high standard”. Considered leaders within aviation, insurance, health, employment and real estate, DACB is known as one of the top law firms in Europe and Latin America for insurance. It is also one of the founding members of Legalign Global, an integrated alliance of best-in-region law firms working as one for multinational insurers, brokers and businesses in addressing cross-border risks and claims. “I love the culture that has been developed at DACB, which encourages first class client relationships. I believe the approach we take is groundbreaking” Anna explained. DACB’s approach includes thorough research into the client and its whole business, including its commercial and, where relevant, political drivers, as well as working as a united team across business sectors to ensure a full spectrum approach. What Anna described as “collegiality” and an “ethical approach” to client relationships, has clearly been conveyed to its clients, as reflected in DACB’s Client Listening and Engagement Programme. 6
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Research carried out by the firm showed that: • 97% of clients said that their overall experience of dealing with DACB was either good or excellent; • 98% said that DACB’s sector understanding was either good or excellent; • 99% rated DACB good or excellent for ease of engagement. “The statistics just speak for themselves,” said Anna. “What has really stood out for me is the kindness and professionalism shown by all colleagues at DACB,” she continued. Empowerment for the Future Anna described DACB as “walking the walk”, which it does internally as well as for its clients - particularly when it comes to equality. “DACB really excels in its empowerment of women in business,” shared Anna, “not only do we have a female Senior Partner, Virginia Clegg, but many business units are led by women and the business pays focus on empowering women for the future”. This includes mentorship by women and for women, opportunities for career advancement, and support for career development after maternity leave and during menopause. “Receiving mentorship has been a really powerful tool for my career development, and it’s something I’m keen to give back,” said Anna, who has done so by mentoring as part of several programmes, including working with university students studying law, which she described as a “shared experience”. The firm also supports the Mentoring the Market scheme.
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DACB The Sector Which Doesn’t Sit Still DACB has a clear vision for the future, with its multi-fold growth strategy always in motion. As well as expanding its global footprint, it will look to acquire new talent to support its growth within its core sectors of Insurance, Health, and Real Estate, as well as Technology, and Financial Services. “We are also investing heavily into technology and innovation, all with the focus to improve our offering for clients,” explained Anna. Technology also plays a key role in the future of aviation law. “The aviation sector doesn’t sit still. Technology in the sector is ever evolving at a fast pace and there is plenty of new and proposed legislation to be aware of” shared Anna. This is particularly true in relation to eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Site) aircraft, which Anna foresees changing the shape of the sector and has implications for everyone.
In addition is the use of SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), with Virgin Atlantic flying the world’s first 100% SAF transatlantic flight in November 2023. Using SAF as an alternative fuel has been promulgated worldwide. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects a significant acceleration in the production of SAF in the 2030s and estimates that it could contribute 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero by 2050. The UK government has likewise published a SAF mandate that may be effective as early as 1 January 2025, which require that SAF accounts for 10% of all aviation jet fuel. The mandate also sets parameters on what constitutes SAF, for example, SAF must have 40% less carbon intensity than fossil fuel-derived kerosene. “Airlines will have to carefully consider the contents of its chosen SAF to avoid greenwashing claims. As the UK government continues to invest its resources in boosting SAF, such as the £165 million Advanced Fuels Fund, we expect further regulation, policies and investments to emerge,” said Anna.
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