Lawrence Hunt
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Hunt is an entrepreneur and was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Silverjet
Aviation Limited, a British-owned business-class airline. Silverjet suspended operations on 30 May 2008.
Involved with start up businesses since 1984, Hunt has held a number of posts at various global companies. At Novell
, a US technology business which listed on NASDAQ in 1987, he was the Distribution and Product manager; at BMS, a technology consulting partnership, sold to Cap Gemini in 1992, Hunt held the position of Head of Sales and Marketing; he was Sales and Marketing Director of Database Management Sciences Limited, sold to IBM in 1993; he founded Rapid Travel Solutions Limited, sold to Telewest Communications Plc in 2003; and at lowcosttravelgroup.com Limited, founded in 2004 by Paul Evans, Hunt currently is a director.
Hunt’s inspiration for Silverjet came from his own unsatisfactory experiences travelling business class
, paying high prices for poor service. He felt that the traditional model of business passengers paying higher rates in order to subside the cheaper economy seats was nonsensical, and that a business-class only service, based on the single carriage model of low cost carriers, was a viable business idea. With his help Silverjet was able to launch in 8 months. Innovative ideas such as a separate ladies bathroom, private terminal and carbon neutral
status, enabled Silverjet
to offer passengers a different experience. Silverjet won 14 awards in its first year of operation and carried over 100,000 passengers. It achieved load factors of 80% on its first aircraft and 70% across its fleet of 3 when it suspended operations in June 2008.
However, trading of Silverjet's shares on the AIM
was suspended on 23 May 2008, and the company suspended operations on 30 May 2008. A reasonable and objective synopsis of Silverjet's history is found at.
Hunt returned to lowcosttravelgroup (www.lowcostholidays.com) and is responsible for acquisitions.
Silverjet
Silverjet was a British all-business class airline headquartered at London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, that, prior to the suspension of operations on 30 May 2008, operated services to Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai International Airport...
Aviation Limited, a British-owned business-class airline. Silverjet suspended operations on 30 May 2008.
Involved with start up businesses since 1984, Hunt has held a number of posts at various global companies. At Novell
Novell
Novell, Inc. is a multinational software and services company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Attachmate Group. It specializes in network operating systems, such as Novell NetWare; systems management solutions, such as Novell ZENworks; and collaboration solutions, such as Novell Groupwise...
, a US technology business which listed on NASDAQ in 1987, he was the Distribution and Product manager; at BMS, a technology consulting partnership, sold to Cap Gemini in 1992, Hunt held the position of Head of Sales and Marketing; he was Sales and Marketing Director of Database Management Sciences Limited, sold to IBM in 1993; he founded Rapid Travel Solutions Limited, sold to Telewest Communications Plc in 2003; and at lowcosttravelgroup.com Limited, founded in 2004 by Paul Evans, Hunt currently is a director.
Hunt’s inspiration for Silverjet came from his own unsatisfactory experiences travelling business class
Business class
Business class is a travel class available on many commercial airlines and rail lines, known by brand names which vary by airline or rail company. In the airline industry, it was originally intended as an intermediate level of service between economy class and first class, but many airlines now...
, paying high prices for poor service. He felt that the traditional model of business passengers paying higher rates in order to subside the cheaper economy seats was nonsensical, and that a business-class only service, based on the single carriage model of low cost carriers, was a viable business idea. With his help Silverjet was able to launch in 8 months. Innovative ideas such as a separate ladies bathroom, private terminal and carbon neutral
Carbon neutral
Carbon neutrality, or having a net zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference...
status, enabled Silverjet
Silverjet
Silverjet was a British all-business class airline headquartered at London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire, England, that, prior to the suspension of operations on 30 May 2008, operated services to Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai International Airport...
to offer passengers a different experience. Silverjet won 14 awards in its first year of operation and carried over 100,000 passengers. It achieved load factors of 80% on its first aircraft and 70% across its fleet of 3 when it suspended operations in June 2008.
However, trading of Silverjet's shares on the AIM
Alternative Investment Market
AIM is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange, allowing smaller companies to float shares with a more flexible regulatory system than is applicable to the main market....
was suspended on 23 May 2008, and the company suspended operations on 30 May 2008. A reasonable and objective synopsis of Silverjet's history is found at.
Hunt returned to lowcosttravelgroup (www.lowcostholidays.com) and is responsible for acquisitions.