Robert Wright
Businessman
Robert was a pilot with British Airways, and took a one year MBA at Cranfield University
School of Management, After finishing the MBA in 1982, he set up his own airline,
Connectair. Robert worked closely with British Caledonian Airways and the venture was
backed by 3i.
Robert sold the Company to ILG in 1989 for £6.5m. However, in 1991 the new owner
ILG/Air Europe went bankrupt. With his original team, Robert rescued the company from the
administrator and became chairman of the reconstituted airline, renamed CityFlyer Express.
This was British Airways' flagship franchise carrier based at Gatwick, eventually serving over
15 destinations with twenty jets. In 1999 it was bought by BA for £75m to prevent it being
purchased by Virgin.
Robert has worked as a director for various companies, originally through 3i's independent
directors' programme. These have included a London bus company, a hospital group and
health and fitness company Cannons. More recently he has been a director of 2 airlines in
Central and Eastern Europe. One, where he remains a founder shareholder, is W!zzair that
carried 10 million passengers this year on a 37 Airbus fleet. The other Geneva based
regional airline has recently amalgamated with a rival located in Lugano, Ticino,
Switzerland. He is presently a director of position sensor manufacturer Positek Ltd.
Robert is a member of Cranfield University School of Management Advisory Board.
Robert and his wife Rosie spend their time living between London and the French Alps near
Geneva.