Mark Ward: From Hospitality Management to Aviation Business Management
Career changes often involve stepping into unfamiliar territory, learning new skills and adapting to different industries. For Mark Ward, moving from hospitality and contract catering into aviation recruitment and business development has provided an opportunity to apply his people-focused experience within a highly international and regulated sector.
Since joining Brookfield Aviation, Mark has supported recruitment projects involving pilots and aircraft engineers while also contributing to business development activities and aviation consultancy projects. His experience demonstrates how transferable skills can support successful careers within the aviation industry.
Published: 16 October 2026
Written by: Shreya Majumder
During his first 11 months at Brookfield Aviation, Mark Ward has developed broad experience in recruitment and aviation business development. Coming from contract catering and corporate hospitality, his move into the aviation sector has opened him up to a new professional arena, as well as allowing him to engage with clients and professionals from around the world.
Career Transition Into Aviation
Prior to working at Brookfield Aviation, Mark had worked for many years in the contract catering industry, overseeing the management of restaurants, coffee bars, fine dining and events at blue-chip corporate head offices across London. Most recently, after taking time away from work, he cared for his nieces and nephew following the loss of their mother.
Mark joined Brookfield Aviation and began a new professional chapter in a completely new industry. As a Business Manager, his responsibilities span a number of areas within the business. With his 11 months at Brookfield Aviation behind him, he has been heavily engaged in the recruitment process with pilots and engineers, while also supporting colleagues with marketing campaigns and client outreach initiatives.
More recently, he has worked on a particularly interesting aviation project, identifying three key personnel to fill Nominated Person roles as part of a client's project to obtain an EASA Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for a new airline expected to launch in 2027.
Moving into the aviation sector has provided Mark with a new set of professional challenges. One particularly challenging aspect has been navigating a highly regulated international industry with complex documentation requirements and multiple languages. Rather than seeing this as a challenge, Mark has used the opportunity to learn more about a new industry, as well as developing his skills and expertise within the aviation sector. The international nature of the industry has also enabled Mark to connect with individuals from across the global airline community.
When asked about the most rewarding aspect of his role, Mark is quick to highlight the people around him. “I work with a great team of people,” he says, specifically recognising colleagues including Dea, Todd and Jose. Another unexpected benefit has been his daily commute. Living close to the Brookfield office, Mark describes it as the “best commute of my life”, something he believes has made a positive contribution to his work-life balance.
His colleagues have also been a great highlight of his first 11 months at Brookfield. “They have been supportive from day one and continue to be daily,” Mark adds. The team environment has quickly become one of the highlights of his time at Brookfield. Behind the professionalism sits a healthy amount of humour and good-natured banter, something reflected in Mark's trademark observation that "Nothing says, 'I'm on it' quite like another 'wait'." Beyond his team, Mark has benefitted from the opportunity to interact and connect with people across the airline industry, providing an insight into the global nature of the aviation sector and the variety of businesses and professionals which make up the industry.
Why Brookfield?
For Mark, Brookfield's strengths are twofold: the colleagues he works with and the experience the business brings to its clients. “The easy answer is the level of professionalism the whole team brings to work daily,” he explains. However, Mark also believes the long-standing experience Brookfield has in aviation recruitment services provides key benefits for its clients. With more than three decades of experience in aviation recruitment, Brookfield brings a network and knowledge of the industry to every project it undertakes.
Looking to the future, Mark is optimistic about the opportunities which recruitment businesses have within the aviation industry. As many of the airlines Brookfield works with continue to pursue growth and expansion plans over the coming decade, he expects demand for pilots, engineers and other aviation professionals to continue to be strong.
For businesses operating in a global industry which will also see continued growth and expansion of its fleet, connecting airlines with the right people will continue to be of increasing importance.
Concluding Remarks
For Mark, the future holds further learning. His ambition is simple; to continue to grow his experience and develop his skills and expertise. Having only joined Brookfield Aviation 11 months ago, he has gained experience across a diverse range of recruitment activities, as well as working on the personnel requirements for a future airline. However, with a growing aviation sector and a growing understanding of the industry, there is much more to learn, and many more opportunities ahead.
Key Facts
Mark Ward joined Brookfield Aviation after building a career in contract catering and corporate hospitality across London.
Prior to entering aviation, he managed restaurants, coffee bars, fine dining operations and corporate events at major corporate head offices.
During his first year at Brookfield Aviation, he supported pilot and engineer recruitment projects while contributing to business development activities.
Mark has recently worked on a project supporting the recruitment of key Nominated Persons for a new airline seeking an EASA Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
One of the most rewarding aspects of his role is the opportunity to work alongside colleagues including Dea, Todd and Jose, as well as engaging with aviation professionals from around the world.
Moving into aviation has allowed him to develop expertise within a highly regulated and international industry.
He believes Brookfield's combination of professionalism, industry knowledge and long-standing aviation experience helps deliver value to clients.
Looking ahead, Mark plans to continue expanding his aviation knowledge, recruitment expertise and business management experience.
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Planning growth, fleet changes or seasonal operations in 2026? Contact Brookfield to discuss your staffing and consultancy needs. Email: info@brookfieldav.com
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Author: Shreya Majumder Aviation staffing and consultancy insights LinkedIn
