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We’re excited to welcome John Upton to CAVU as our new Chief Experiences Officer.
With nearly three decades of experience across industries as varied as law, hospitality, and aviation, John brings a unique and energetic perspective to the team — and a whole lot of passion for creating exceptional customer journeys.
<h2>Getting to know John</h2>
What does your role involve? 
“I’m delighted to have joined CAVU as Chief Experiences Officer. My main goal is to help us continue — and accelerate — the phenomenal growth we’re seeing across the Experiences business. That means opening new lounges around the world, helping our existing lounges keep growing and delighting customers, and, just as importantly, creating more opportunities for our talented people.”
Tell us a bit about your background — where has your career taken you so far? 
“I’ve had quite a ride over the past 30 years… I started off as a corporate lawyer, moved on to making Big Macs at McDonald’s, and more recently ended up running an airport. With a few exciting roles in between! I’ve had many highlights, from running Hamburger University to turning around a couple of businesses in more recent years.”
What attracted you to CAVU? 
“Reputation and the opportunity. And Martin, of course!”
And your first impression? 
“Passionate, committed people with a clear mandate to grow.”
What are you most looking forward to this year? 
“Seeing us open more lounges!”
Where will your focus lie in the months ahead? 
“Finding ways for Experiences to operate better and grow quicker.”
How would you define good leadership? 
“Providing clarity for the mission, underpinned by the right tools and resources, and enabling positive, constructive accountability.”
<h2 aria-level="2">Quickfire round</h2>
CAVU in three words? 
&#8220;Innovative. Passion. Future.&#8221;
Favourite way to switch off after work? 
&#8220;Rolling a cricket wicket.&#8221;
Favourite airport — and why? 
&#8220;Brisbane. Fabulous terminal and a great airport team to work with.&#8221;
City you’d fly back to in a heartbeat? 
&#8220;Vancouver.&#8221;
Surprising fact? 
&#8220;My first car — a brown Austin Allegro— was written off when a JCB drove into the back of it. I’ve been thankful to the JCB driver ever since! &#8221;
Welcome to CAVU, John. We’re thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to see where you take Experiences next.

Meet John Upton, CAVU’s new Chief Experiences Officer, bringing global growth, bold leadership, and lounge expansion plans.

Aditya Vyas Mwwi0Ngk0lI Unsplash

Introducing… John Upton, Chief Experience Officer at CAVU

We’re delighted to welcome Caroline Exley to CAVU as our new Chief Financial Officer. 
With deep experience in audit, M&amp;A, and finance leadership, Caroline brings a thoughtful and strategic mindset to CAVU’s next phase of growth, as well as a genuine focus on improving the experience for both teams and customers. 
<h2 aria-level="2">Getting to know Caroline </h2>
What is your role at CAVU and what are your main responsibilities?
&#8220;I’m pleased to have joined as Chief Financial Officer. My main aim is to drive the business strategy set by Martin and ExCo, to deliver profitability for our shareholders and, as part of MAG Group, to contribute to its wider success. I’m also here to offer challenge on decisions as part of ExCo, to encourage and support all the teams, particularly the finance team, and to ensure the business can support the growth trajectory by improving systems and processes, while controlling risk.&#8221; 
Can you give a brief overview of your previous experience and career highlights?
&#8220;I started at PwC in audit and moved into M&amp;A across various businesses. I set up a small accountancy practice while raising two boys, then worked my way up an entrepreneurial organisation to become CFO of a US-based payroll provider, which we exited to private equity. I returned to the UK time zone at Travel Counsellors as Director of Finance before arriving at CAVU.&#8221; 
What attracted you to CAVU?
&#8220;I was attracted by the prospect of working with Martin and the opportunity to support a successful part of MAG, which in turn is a strong contributor to the Manchester and UK economy.&#8221; 
What was your first impression of CAVU?
&#8220;Fast paced and ambitious.&#8221; 
What are you most looking forward to this year?
&#8220;Seeing the migrations complete after the hard work of the last few years. That will allow us to focus forwards onto new, exciting opportunities, and help the team resolve some of those tricky back office challenges.&#8221; 
Where will your focus lie in the months ahead?
&#8220;Supporting growth, integrating Parkos, and collaborating across the business and with MAG to make our journey more frictionless, both for our team and our customers.&#8221; 
How would you define good leadership?
&#8220;A clear mission, humility and care.&#8221; 
<h2 aria-level="2">Quickfire round </h2>
CAVU in three words — go.
&#8220;Ambition. Support. Collaboration.&#8221; 
What’s your favourite way to switch off after work?
&#8220;Anything on or in the water, sailing, wingfoiling, swimming.&#8221; 
Favourite airport — and why?
&#8220;Manchester. You can take the girl out of Manchester, but you can’t take Manchester out of the girl.&#8221; 
What’s a city you’d fly back to in a heartbeat?
&#8220;Boston.&#8221; 
Surprising fact about you?
&#8220;I lived on a boat in Portugal and Spain for seven months with my husband and our three-month-old son.&#8221; 
Welcome to CAVU, Caroline. We’re thrilled to have you on board.

Meet Caroline Exley, CAVU’s new CFO, here to support growth, streamline systems, and champion collaboration across the business.

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Introducing… John Upton, Chief Experience Officer at CAVU

Introducing… Caroline Exley, Chief Financial Officer at CAVU