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An aviation and logistics firm based in Speke has gained renewed clarity and increased confidence to expand internationally after partnering with Liverpool City Council’s Business Support Service. This service is backed by funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), administered via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Wynne Aviation, located at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, has a long-standing presence in the city’s commercial sector. Established by David Hughes, the company started as a modest haulage business and gradually transformed into a comprehensive logistics provider. Today, Wynne Aviation offers a range of services including contract logistics, road freight, customs clearance, and aircraft handling for a diverse client base within the UK and internationally.
When David’s son Tom Hughes and his cousin Mark took over management, the company faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily due to disruptions in their automotive client sector. Recognising the need for a strategic pivot, they realised that simply following incoming work was no longer a viable approach. As Tom explains, “We’d got to a point in the business where we were at a crossroads. We’d always gone wherever the work flowed, but it was time to decide what we really wanted to be. I knew the answer deep down, but we needed help to turn ideas into a plan.”
With key infrastructure like a bonded warehouse, X-ray facilities, and a vehicle fleet already established, Wynne Aviation was well positioned to adapt quickly to new international markets. Liverpool City Council’s Business Support Service played a vital role, guiding the company through a process to redefine its strategic direction. Business advisors Mark Butchard (business strategy) and Phil Davies (sales and marketing) assisted in developing a flexible, evolving plan that balanced agility with clear purpose. “It was like therapy for the business,” Tom reflects. “They made me step back and work on the business instead of in it. We clarified who we are, what we stand for and where we’re going.”
As a result of this renewed focus, Wynne Aviation recently hired its first business development manager, Paul, to foster longer-term partnerships rather than simply pursuing volume. This shift has already generated positive outcomes: the company is progressing towards securing three new blue-chip clients identified through the support programme; it has expanded operations to the Isle of Man; and it is exploring trade options with Canada following recent tariffs in the US, including meetings with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and a visit to the House of Lords to investigate new market possibilities. Tom sums up their outlook confidently: “We realised we don’t need hundreds of customers. We just need the right few – genuine partners who see us as part of their process.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, Cllr Nick Small, commented on Wynne Aviation’s progress, stating, “Wynne Aviation is a brilliant example of how local businesses can benefit from tailored support. Liverpool has a proud history of enterprise and innovation, and it’s fantastic to see a family business with deep roots in our city now reaching global markets. The Business Support Service exists to help more local firms do exactly that – to think strategically, grow sustainably, and showcase Liverpool on the world stage.”
The success story of Wynne Aviation highlights the impact of Liverpool’s business support infrastructure in empowering local companies to solidify their operations and seek new domestic and international opportunities. The Business Support Service itself has been allocated £451,000 in funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with leadership provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
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