Meet Dave Cauvin, the founder of Velocity55 and an accomplished leader in the aviation industry. With over 30 years of diverse experience, Dave began his journey in aviation with humble beginnings as an aircraft cleaner at London’s Gatwick Airport. His dedication and passion for the industry propelled him through various roles, this unique trajectory providing him with invaluable insights into the aviation sector, from the ground level to the executive suite.

Career Journey  

Dave's career can be divided into two significant phases. The first half was predominantly operational; after building experience at his first aviation company, he was headhunted to join a competitor as a Regional General Manager. He progressed quickly to Director of Operations, where he held overall responsibility for the operational and financial performance of the company across 24 airport locations in the UK and Ireland.

The second phase of Dave’s career began with a shift into a commercial role at SITA, where he led consultancy services for airports worldwide, including major projects at Muscat Airport in Oman and for ASIG at JFK, New York. In 2011, he joined Swissport, the largest global provider of ground services, ultimately leading the UK Commercial Team as Commercial Director for the UK and Ireland. He later transitioned to a global role as Vice President of Global Accounts, collaborating with major airline customers across Europe, North America, and North Africa to develop consistent global strategies.

Before founding Velocity55, Dave served as Commercial Director at ABM, where he was part of the Executive Leadership Team. He led a high-performing group of Business Development Managers in creating innovative strategies—particularly during the COVID pandemic—to increase the customer base and drive profitable growth.

Philosophy  

Dave’s approach is rooted in a collaborative understanding between customers and business partners, focusing on identifying challenges and developing solutions together—an ethos he has carried into Velocity55. Throughout his career, he has led teams, from managing a small group of cabin cleaners to overseeing high-performing Business Development Teams. His guiding principles remain the same: trust, clarity, alignment, commitment, accountability, and achieving results.

Velocity55  

Launched in January 2023, Velocity55 is fuelled by Dave’s enduring passion for aviation and his commitment to using his knowledge and network to provide tailored solutions for the industry. With a perspective distinct from larger consultancy firms, he has embarked on projects with international airlines, airports, and ground service providers that have yielded impressive results in a cost-effective manner. Dave envisions Velocity55 becoming the 'go-to' consultancy for ground handling solutions.