Marcus Charles Balmforth Email & Phone Number

London, United Kingdom

Marcus is the Managing Director and founder of Skylark Consulting Group established in May 2018 with his long standing colleague and business partner Ken Currie, based in San Francisco.Skylark is a management consultancy established by senior transportation and infrastructure experts, forming a team with decades of experience in the industry as both practitioners and advisers. As a fully independent consulting business, our team represents one of the leading global transactions advisers in the aviation, marine and infrastructure sectors.

London, United Kingdom

Apricor provided specialist support for investors seeking to acquire significant stakes and improve airport companies. Marcus brings a wealth of aviation experience to investment partners; from hands on direct experience of negotiating terms and route development with airlines, through transforming the commercial offers at airports, to introducing innovative efficiencies and cost restructuring of businesses.Having been associated with creating value at airports for over 20 years, Marcus provides partners with consistency, energy, and tremendous insights for value enhancing strategies.He has operated at Principal Investor, Executive Management and Executive support levels across over 40 airports including having held over 15 directorships in aviation companies over the last 10 years.Marcus has built significant equity and debt portfolios for both General Electric and Macquarie, leading both acquisition teams and asset management teams of 30+ people. He believes a successful airport investment is delivered by identifying the unique value creation opportunities before acquisition, then having a plan to deliver them.Apricor supported the Symbiose consortium (Friedmann Pacific Asset Management, Shandong High Speed Group, SNC Lavalin) in it's successful bid for Toulouse-Blagnac Airport.Other clients Antin Infrastructure Partners Limited and ICON Infrastructure Partners said;"Insightful, knowledgeable and a value added partner. It was a pleasure to work with Apricor"​ - Mark Crosbie Managing Partner Antin Infrastructure Partners."Apricor supported iCON in our evaluation of a potential investment in an international portfolio of airports. Marcus helped us in assessing the value creation opportunities and risks of the individual airports as well as supporting our overall strategic planning. Marcus’ valuable advisory experience and insights were an asset during the course of the process” - Paul Malan, Managing Partner, iCON Infrastructure Partners.

France

Following his term as Executive Board Member, Marcus joined the Supervisory Board, Audit Committee and Strategy and Investment Committee to continue to support the airport's development and performance. Aeroport Toulouse-Blagnac was recently voted the top regional airport in France and since privatisation has increased passenger levels by over 30% and significantly improved EBITDA performance investing over €125m over the last 3 years.

London, United Kingdom

As Managing Director for the UK business of InterVISTAS Consulting Group Marcus led the transactions, services, baggage systems and Air Service Development and Economic Forecasting teams based out of the London Office. Over nearly three years he built up a strong reputation for the company and more than quadrupled turnover, growing the client base and delivering work on time and on budget.In May 2018 together with his team and partners based in the US, Marcus established Skylark Consulting Group to continue to provide the transport infrastructure industry with innovative and creative solutions.

France

Following the acquisition of a 49.99 % shareholding in the airport by China Airport Synergy Investment Limited (a consortium of Friedmann Pacific Asset Management and Shandong High Speed Group) which was the first French Government PPP of a major regional airport, Marcus was appointed to the executive management board to support the implementation and execution of the acquisition business plan and support the executive management of the company. Working with the CEO, CFO, CCO and senior management Marcus introduced new strategies for EBITDA growth and capital investment to develop the business, adopted following an intense 4 month period of strategic review. The "Grand Ciel Plus"​ programme will be implemented over a period of 3 years and significantly enhance the airport's customer service and value.

Global

Leader of Airport Division for General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).Over 6 years built airport and aviation portfolio of equity and debt investments of over $700m with a global team of over 30 people in China, India, US, and Europe. Acquired, supported and developed businesses including London City Airport, Global Infrastructure Partners (Leading Infrastructure Fund), Lynxs (Cargo Development), Nordic Airport Properties (Swedish Government PPP), Aviasolutions Limited (Leading Aviation Consultancy), Austin Texas Low Cost Terminal, various fund and debt investments across UK, Turkey, India and the Caribbean. Originated various partner platforms to pursue investment opportunities in China, India, Europe, US and the America's.

Europe

Instrumental in developing one of the first and leading specialist airport infrastructure funds for Macquarie. Built up and managed European portfolio of airport investments which included Bristol International Airport, Birmingham International Airport, Rome Airport, Brussels Airport, Copenhagen Airport. Director of various holding companies and fund boards including Main Board Directorships of Birmingham and Rome Airports. Supported MAp with Sydney Airport acquisition and commercial development. Exited the ACSA (South African Airports) investment of Rome Airport. Led the asset management team for Europe.

London, United Kingdom

Working for Barclays Venture Capital and the board implemented turnaround commercial strategy involving airline development, retail introduction, cost restructuring and resulted in successful sale within 2 year time frame. Achieved over 80% IRR to original shareholders.

Senior Management Role responsible for over 300 commercial contracts delivering over £90m net income. Reported to BAA Group Retail Board.

Various airport commercial roles ranging from Marketing and Customer Services to Head of Heathrow Duty Free business culminating in promotion to Company Senior Manager in charge of all BAA Groups Shop business.

Started career with Selfridges Limited on Oxford Street, London, as graduate trainee. Further direct retail management experience at SAKS Fifth Avenue, NYC, Habitat Furniture Superstores in UK, and Olympus Sports Superstores in the UK. Managed regional stores group with full P & L responsibility.

Bsc (Hons), Biology

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Biology And Psychology

Education record