Ed Higgs

Founded this company with an initial focus on helping Golf Clubs achieve their Sustainability objectives. Worked closely with Knole Park Golf Club assisting with their GEO accreditation.

Also worked with a local Property Management company in support of their restructure and reorganisation 4Q2023.

In June 2024 I commenced work as an advisor / consultant for IndiGo Airlines based in Delhi. Reporting to the CEO's office I am currently supporting IndiGo 5-8 per month on site as well as remotely from the UK. The initial scope of services has focussed on

• Assisting with Entry into Service of A350, of which IndiGo has 60 on order for delivery starting in 2027. Drawing on my experience at Cathay Pacific and deep working knowledge of both -900 and -1000 variants I am playing a key role in helping specify cabin and galley requirements for IndiGo, attending Definition meetings with Airbus in both Hamburg and Delhi.
• Supporting Product and Service design for IndiGo's damp lease operations to AMS and DEL commencing July 2025 with Norse B787-900.
• Undertaking detailed flying product audits of competitor airlines with an emphasis on premium cabins

• Responsible for most diverse and historied of airline's six regions - 7 Countries report into Regional office in Singapore
• Worked with Direct reports and their teams to craft and implement new vision for Southeast Asia - to 'Outperform' and lead recovery from Hong Kong protest crisis in 2020 and then from Covid in 2021
• Achieved uplift in Employee Engagement across all countries
• SEA enjoyed 2nd highest level of participation in corporate wide voluntary unpaid leave scheme
• Managed airline's response to Covid Crisis 2020 onwards, implemented re-structure and right sizing of offices in response to fall in passenger demand. This was achieved through close co-ordination with Head Office, minimising redundancies.
• Mentored and coached total of 14 Direct Reports

• Strategic and Business Planning of Inflight Services Department to deliver the world's best inflight service, as delivered by 12,000+ cabin crew for Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon
• Improved communication and employee engagement throughout crew communities in Hong Kong and across overseas bases
• Successfully navigated industrial relations challenges associated with an aggressive programme of change and increased productivity, which included 777 reconfiguration, induction of new aircraft types (A350) and introduction of a New Business Class Service
• Collaborated with Engineering teams to ensure A350-1000s were successfully entered into service with design modifications to make them more user friendly for cabin crew.
• Implemented restructure of teams in response to Company's Organisation Design Project
• Developed roadmap proposing a raft of further changes for Inflight Services team to make with regards to future management of Cabin Crew and associated productivity challenges. Many of these were implemented in response to COVID between 2020-2021.

• Managed the overhaul of Cathay Pacific's loyalty programme The Marco Polo Club, transitioning to a points currency (as opposed to miles/sector) based scheme, addressing aspects of the proposition that had become unsustainable. This high profile change project demanded extensive stakeholder management across multiple departments
• As a result of the changes average revenue per member increased by at least 30% per tier
• Re branded proposition and engagement activities to ensure retention of most profitable customers
• Led team by example in meeting and proactively soliciting feedback directly from the most challenging members
• Involved in development of Cathay Pacific's acclaimed flagship airport lounges in Hong Kong, Haneda, Manila, Bangkok and Singapore

• Key leadership position in a dedicated route team with responsibility and accountability for optimizing passenger revenues across network and in the specific area of geographical coverage (NAM and SEA regions account for over 25% of the group's passenger revenue)
• Use of complex Yield Management systems operated by a highly trained analytical team to achieve optimal balance of revenue quality and load factors
• Formulation of clear directions on schedule enhancements and future growth opportunities in areas of coverage
• Close co-ordination with Sales Territory Commercial teams to ensure company's revenue targets are surpassed in line with yearly company ‘Emphasis'.
• Established, measured and effectively evaluated existing sales strategies implementing Yield Improvement programmes where possible, liaising with local Sales Territories
• Actively reviewed forward bookings, adjusting pricing strategy to maximise profits.

• 2008-2011 In Philippines, based in Manila, responsible for increasing annual Passenger and Cargo Revenues to in excess of USD150million, leading a team of 131 staff with direct oversight of 47 weekly flights between Manila and Hong Kong (37 Cathay Pacific Passenger services, 5 Dragonair Services and 5 Air Kong Freighters). Indirect oversight of daily flights between Cebu and Hong Kong
• 2006-2008 In South Africa, based in Johannesburg, responsible for increasing annual Passenger and Cargo Revenues in excess of USD60million, leading a team of 38 with direct oversight of daily flights between Johannesburg and Hong Kong
• 2004-2006 In Sri Lanka, based in Colombo, responsible for achieving annual Passenger and Cargo Revenues in excess of USD30million leading a team of 30 staff with Direct oversight of weekly flights between Colombo and Hong Kong (four via BKK and 3 via SIN). Achieved highest market share of 4 airlines competing on Colombo-SIngapore route despite operating at a frequency disadvantage to UL, SQ and EK.
• Acted as brand ambassador and country representative to gain key insights into key market segments and translate these into practical strategies to boost revenue.
• Responsible for implementing changes and restructures in each of the Countries in accordance with Employee Engagement surveys and insights derived from them

• Rotated through a range of commercial and people management roles to gain a detailed understanding of airline operations
• Gained skills, knowledge and experience working across various departments including scheduling
• Worked as Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer during protracted negotiations with the airline's pilots unions