MEET OUR TEAM
Hendrik Louw
Chief Executive Officer
Hendrik qualified as a Chartered Accountant (SA) and Chartered Financial Analyst in 2001. He holds a Masters Degree in Financial Management from the University of Johannesburg and is a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research. He started a career in corporate finance in 2002 at PSG Investment Bank after which he joined Charles Orbach Corporate Finance as Managing Director. He was the CEO and co-founder of Rock Morphus Investments and founder of niche advisory firm Suez Capital.
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Hendrik has extensive executive, corporate advisory and strategic management-consulting experience. He joined Rocket as CEO in 2021.
Björn Gussenhoven
Chief Operations Officer
A highly experienced management executive with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer services, medical and IT sectors, as well as in the development and delivery of value-added solutions for the insurance industry.
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Strong business development professional with a Diploma in Ambulance Emergency Care from Technikon Witwatersrand focused on Advanced Life Support Paramedic. Experience in call center management, sales, emergency management, clothing manufacturing, and machine learning.
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In March 2020, Bjorn joined ROCKET as a project and business development manager to help launch the company.
Patrick Wallett
Chief Clinical Officer
Patrick qualified as an advanced life support paramedic, holding an N.Dip: Ambulance Emergency Technology in 1998, and later as an Emergency Care Practitioner, holding a B-Tech: Emergency Medical Care in 2006. Started his HEMS career in 1995, with Medical Rescue International, moving on to the ‘Flight for Life’ program in 1998, earning his ‘Silver Wings’ in 2000. Served as a senior flight paramedic and Regional Operations Manager for ‘Specialised Trauma Air Rescue’.
He founded CareFlight Group (PTY) Ltd, an Aero-Medical Consultancy in 2010 and has dedicated his time to setting up and managing both fixed and rotary-wing aero-medical programs that ensure the highest levels of medical care, are delivered to patients in their greatest times of need.
He is passionate about neo-natal and paediatric emergency medical care, and critical care transport. Patrick joined ROCKET Air Ambulance in May 2020 and the management team as Chief Clinical Officer in 2021.
Bruce Daniels, Chief Aviation Officer for ROCKET HEMS and Head of Training/Chief Pilot at Henley Air, boasts over 22,000 hours of flying time, reflecting his extensive expertise. Formerly a pilot at South African Airways, Bruce's contributions there molded his seasoned aviation career.
In his pivotal role at ROCKET HEMS, he manages and oversees aviation operations, leveraging his rich experience. Concurrently, as Head of Training and Chief Pilot at Henley Air, Bruce mentors aspiring aviators, emphasizing safety and proficiency.
Bruce's versatile roles showcase his commitment to excellence, contributing significantly to aviation's success.
Bruce Daniels
Chief Aviation Officer
Boeta Dippenaar
Henley Air Group Chief Executive Officer
Boeta is a qualified ATPL (H) pilot with an Instrument Rating. He also holds various ratings including: Game/Cull Capture, Grade I Instructors rating, NVG rating (including NVG instructor), Winch/Sling Rating. While representing South Africa in cricket for 9 years and playing professional cricket for 17 years, Boeta completed his PPL (H) at Henley Air in 2005.
After completing his CPL (H) license in 2009, Boeta continued to work for Westline Aviation for 9 years managing various international training contracts, including Botswana Police Force and Nigerian Defence Force students. His continued relationship with Henley Air was extended in 2019 when he was appointed as permanent staff member and Chief Pilot of Henley Air. He duly took over as Group Chief Executive Officer in July 2021.
André Coetzee
Group Executive Chairman
André was raised and attended school in Henley-on-Klip, a village south of Johannesburg. Having started flying helicopters at the age of 15, he completed a B. Eng (Mechanical) degree at the (then) Rand Afrikaans University and elected to become a helicopter maintenance apprentice after graduation. Henley Air was started in 1998 with his father, Johann, and the business grew incrementally from its base at Rand Airport.
André is a registered Professional Engineer (ECSA) and currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Henley Air, holds a PhD in Aviation Management (Da Vinci Institute of Technology), Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence, Airline Transport Pilot Licence (Helicopter) and acts as Designated Flight Examiner (Class I) on behalf of the SACAA. He is an avid cricket lover and married to Lonell with three daughters.
Ané du Preez
After completing her BA (ED) degree at the University of Pretoria, Ané started her secondary school teaching career in Vanderbijlpark, at which time she also taught Saturday School at Springfield Primary until 1998. From 1994 – 2000 she lectured at the private Vaal Career College (Industrial Orientation N1-N3 and Cognitive Development N1-N3), and from 2001 at Riverside High School (Guidance and Afrikaans).
Ané joined at Henley Air in February 2002 as an Administrator, Operations Controller, Bookkeeper, Flight Training School & Charter Administrator.
In 2004 she became one of the Directors and a Shareholder of Henley Air, as well as the responsible person for Flight Operations and was appointed the Chief Operating Officer of Henley in 2020. In her current portfolio Ané is responsible for managing the entire Henley Air fleet, which include the Charter division. Areas of responsibility include:
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· Key Account Management
· Operations Director & daily line-flying duties
· Responsible Person: Charter operations
· Staff Management – Permanent & Contract Staff
Ané has 8 years of experience in education and training and 18 years of experience in Helicopter Management.
Henley Air Group Chief Operations Officer