When awards jury members are selected for their neutrality and expertise, the goal is to ensure that the evaluation process is fair, unbiased, and based on a deep understanding of the relevant field. We believe these criteria are essential for maintaining the credibility of our Awards, and they ensure that the winners are chosen on merit.
Our jury is composed of respected industry experts, each carefully chosen for their neutrality, expertise, experience, and global diversity. They play a key role in nominating the final candidates, as well as awarding the majority of points before the industry voting process commences.
Each Award category has clear and well-defined selection criteria that guide the jury members in their evaluations. This process is carried out using a standard checklist and template, enabling each jury member to follow the same structured approach. The result is a thorough and balanced outcome, with greater focus on content and deliverables and less reliance on public voting.
The following list reflects the jury members confirmed so far. Additional members will be announced in due course, and the website will be updated accordingly.
WACA JURY 2026
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Mathieu Sérafimoff
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Mathieu Sérafimoff is Managing Partner – Operations & Quality Compliance at SkyForge Consulting and founder of Aeris Logistica. Over the past decade he has led round-the-clock cargo operations across Belgian cargo airports for major ground handlers, steering teams in the hundreds, building structured dialogue with unions, and carrying end-to-end business responsibility. His e-AWB studies and related digitalization programs were developed in close partnership with IATA, freight forwarders and cargo airlines. His scope also includes national and international customs and security compliance, mergers, airline start-ups and airport tender writing, the design of warehouse and ramp processes to maximize operational structure and capability. Loadmaster-trained, he has served as Responsible Person for GDP and CEIV Pharma, and is conversant with Cargo iQ and related standards. At SkyForge he pairs hands-on improvement and operational excellence with strategy and commercial development, extending to airport-level programs such as single-window and port community systems. He treats continuous improvement like a competitive sport: refusing to settle, broadening and perfecting the service offering, and pursuing sustainable profitability. He co-founded YAN (Young Airfreight Network) and remains closely involved with the community, giving back to a profession he regards as his passion and a privilege.
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Roos Bakker
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For 20 years Roos Bakker has been working for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The past 6 years have seen her working as Cargo Partnerships Director. As such, she is responsible for cargo airline routes and network development in key markets Asia and Africa, and is one of the key strategists within the Holland Flower Alliance, set up by Schiphol, KLM and Royal Flora Holland. Roos has been a board member for TIACA since 2021 and vice chair of TIACA since November 2023. |
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P Balasubramanian
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P. Balasubramanian, also known as Bala, is a seasoned professional with over 46 years of experience in the aviation and air cargo industry. He has held senior leadership roles in major airlines and international aviation organizations, shaping the strategic and operational landscape of global air cargo.
Bala’s career includes 25 years at Emirates SkyCargo (1991-2016), where he managed global cargo operations and quality standards. As Manager of Cargo Quality and Standards, he oversaw over 350 stations and played a critical role in maintaining operational efficiency and compliance, even as Emirates experienced significant growth. He was instrumental in developing the SkyChain system for cargo operations and ensuring compliance with various regulatory bodies, including the UAE GCAA and global pharmaceutical audits.
Before joining Emirates, Bala worked at Air India (1977-1991), where he gained expertise in passenger handling, cargo management, and weight and balance operations. His experience in Air India’s Traffic and Cargo divisions laid the foundation for his future leadership in the industry.
In 2016, Bala founded ACCIS (Air Cargo Consultancy International Services), where he serves as CEO. Through ACCIS, he offers consultancy services on air cargo, logistics, and dangerous goods, working with clients such as IATA, Amazon, and Turkish Airlines. Bala has also provided strategic advice to governments and international bodies on aviation-related regulations and development initiatives.
Bala is a globally recognized expert in air cargo and dangerous goods regulations. He has served as an ICAO Advisor and Vice Chairman of the IATA Dangerous Goods Board, contributing to the creation of international standards and co-authoring key industry manuals, including the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IATA Cargo Handling Manual.
Bala’s contributions extend to academia and policy development. He has advised the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, playing a crucial role in India’s submission to the ICAO Assembly for air cargo digitalization. He is also involved in developing university curricula and qualification standards for aviation and air cargo, ensuring the industry’s future workforce is well-equipped.
A sought-after speaker, Bala regularly chairs panels at industry conferences, including the Air Cargo Handling International Conference and IATA Dangerous Goods Conferences. He also serves as guest faculty for organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Bala holds an MBA in International Business Strategy and Operations from the University of Bradford, a Law degree from Bombay University, and several other qualifications. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contributions, including receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Cold Chain Unbroken in 2023
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Steven Verhasselt
Founder and Director, FB Cargo Strategy
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Steven graduated in Brussels, from Ehsal with a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He started working for the Regional Development Agency, focused on assisting startup companies with business plans, seed and venture capital. One of the projects led him into cargo aviation, and once you are in … Steven entered the aviation world in 2001 running a project to start up a cargo airline based in Brussels. The project led him to the Middle East and Asia. In 2003 Steven landed in Hong Kong and liked it a lot. He started his own company, offering eyes and ears in Asia for airports, airlines, and aviation related companies. Steven worked for the business development team of Brussels Airport. His cargo DNA led him to Liege Airport as Cargo Development Manager Asia in 2006. He worked there for 15 years as the commercial director of Liege Airport, Belgium’s leading cargo airport. He was responsible for the global cargo development but was also in charge of passenger, real estate, and consulting. Steven became the face of a leading European Cargo Airport living in Hong Kong and travelling around the globe. Since 2022, Steven works fulltime for FB Cargo Strategy. He is mostly developing a vision, advising on investment projects, and putting airport cargo development projects in the market. The goal is to create added value for Airports as well as for their host regions. The target is to make sure cargo owners recognise the advantages airfreight and airfreight driven multimodal platforms always will have to meet the requirements of their customers. He is also investing in and advising innovators in our industry, to drive digitisation and sustainability. Steven is a keen believer in sustainability through efficiency. All the projects have in common that they are air cargo related, and partnerships with colleagues who became friends. |
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Brigitte Gledhill
Chief Correspondent, CargoForwarder Global
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Brigitte Gledhill’s air cargo journey began as a Lufthansa Cargo management trainee back in 1996, shuttling between the UK and Germany. After 21 years in very varied international positions covering every angle of air cargo from sales to handling, flight operations, marketing, claims, and product development, she became self-employed as an air cargo journalist and copywriter. Brigitte is a regular contributor to the free, weekly, air freight-focused email newsletter, CargoForwarder Global. |
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Chris Notter
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Chris is a renowned aviation specialist with extensive experience in cargo operations and cultural transformation. With a deep understanding of the importance of validation and verification, he has a demonstrable track record of influencing change in people, processes, and performance, resulting in efficiency improvements and increased competency of personnel. He is a proven leader with a realistic, yet positive, attitude who is committed to reducing costs, optimising resources, and executing transformative strategies. Previous positions include: Chief Ground Handling Officer Saudi Arabia Cargo Company (SACC) – 3 Hubs and 20+ domestic stations; VP of both Cargo Network and Cargo Hubs within SACC; VP of both Cargo Network and Cargo HUB with QR –Qatar Airways; Head of Cargo with EY – Etihad Airways; EVP Business Development – Groundforce; Lufthansa Cargo (29 years) – Regional Director – Various regions – Northern Europe, Ukraine, Baltics, and the UK. |
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Glyn Hughes
Director General, TIACA
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Glyn has been involved in Air Cargo for over 40 years having started his career with British Caledonian in the UK. He joined IATA in 1991 and become IATA’s Global Head of Cargo in June 2014. In February 2021, Glyn joined TIACA as its first Director general where he works with the Board to deliver the organization’s vision for a safe, profitable and united air cargo industry that embraces modern technologies and practices, to sustainably serve trade and social development worldwide. Priority areas include safety, security, sustainability, digitalization and innovation. He is dedicated to developing collaborative relationships and is a firm believer in supporting the next generation of industry leaders and innovators. |
