Robert Ayling served as chairman of Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service, Dwr Cymru, and Dyson.
14 Facts About Robert Ayling
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Robert Ayling was born in Battersea the son of a grocer, George and civil servant Hilda.
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Robert Ayling was educated at King's College School, Wimbledon but left school at 16 after his father's business failed, and took articles with a solicitor.
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Robert Ayling passed his professional examinations by 19 and in 1968 was admitted a solicitor at 21.
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Robert Ayling went on to hold a series of senior management positions including director of human resources and director of marketing and operations.
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Robert Ayling was appointed group managing director of BA in 1993 and chief executive in 1996.
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Robert Ayling's policies, including setting up in 1998 of the low cost airline 'Go' with Barbara Cassani as CEO, drew intense hostility from the trade unions.
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Robert Ayling pursued a merger and establishment of a strategic alliance with American Airlines and BA's investment in Iberia.
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Robert Ayling re-introduced beds on long haul flights and was the main protagonist and promoter of BA's London Eye project for the Millennium.
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Robert Ayling joined the board of Dyson Ltd in 2001 serving until 2012, including a stint as chairman from 2010 to 2012.
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Robert Ayling was appointed a non-executive Director of Holidaybreak Plc, the specialist holiday and activity group, in February 2003, before becoming chairman in June 2003.
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Robert Ayling was appointed a non-executive director of Dwr Cymru in 2008, becoming chairman in 2009.
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Robert Ayling was appointed first independent chairman of HM Courts and Tribunals Service on its creation in April 2011.
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Robert Ayling led the major Reform of the Service serving under six Lord Chancellors and three Lord Chief Justices.