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Michelle Lam

This story was originally published in XXIV magazine 2018
CEO Simon Wagstaff says that running an aviation business requires a great deal of attention.
“It’s a precision business. We are a service provider to the aviation industry, specifically to private and corporate jet operators, so time is very, very important,” Wagstaff says.
The ASA Group, which Wagstaff founded in 1999, has expanded from one employee to offices in six countries, including those in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines, with operations in more than 1,000 Asian airports.

His business focuses on four sectors: aviation ground handling, security services, private jet charters, and luxury concierge services, and his philosophy on time is influenced by his own experiences.
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A retired British Army officer from the prestigious Commando Brigade, Wagstaff is also a veteran of the 1982 Falklands war, and a counter terrorism expert.

“Time in the army is not your own, first of all. And you are taught on day one to always be on time,” he says.
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“In business, everybody’s time is important. And to me, if you are ever late for something, it shows a lack of respect for that other person. It doesn’t matter whether they are richer than you, more important than you, or the same as you,” he says.
“So this is my philosophy – to always be on time, to always have the greatest respect for other people’s time.”
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However, Wagstaff makes sure people around him feel his warmth. A friendly, cheerful man, he is always smiling. Away from work, he makes sure he spends enough time with his family, including his six children.

“As I have got older, I’m able to prioritise things better and make sure I make time for my family. It’s very important,” he says.
I disappear for some sanity every now and then, to seek some solitude
Wagstaff also makes time for his adrenaline-pumping hobbies. He made more than 3,000 parachute jumps when he was in the army, and today he is a devoted mountaineer.
“I disappear for some sanity every now and then, to seek some solitude.’
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“Next year, actually, I’m attempting Mount Everest in the spring, flying to Kathmandu and going up the Himalayas for two months.
“So rather than have a sport to go to once or twice a week, I save up my time and disappear for two or three weeks. In this case, two months next year.”
Simon Wagstaff’s preferred timepieces

“[It is] the timepiece that I’m most proud of, because I have had to earn it … I have to earn the right to wear my Breitling Avenger Seawolf, which is a special edition. I got number 33 out of only 59 that were made. And they were only available to people who had previously served in a specialist unit in the British Army that I served with.”

“Rolex, the name speaks for itself. It’s precise. It’s reliable. I disappear for some sanity every now and then, to seek some solitude.”
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Why Falklands war veteran Simon Wagstaff now has Everest in his sights

ASA Group Holdings founder and chairman Simon Wagstaff. Photo: Nora Tam

Wagstaff receiving the British Empire medal as member of the Commando Brigade from Chris Patten in Hong Kong in 1992

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Breitling watch owned by Simon Wagstaff, Founder & Chairman, ASA Group Holdings Ltd, photographed in Wan Chai. 24SEP18 SCMP / Nora Tam

Wagstaff at Mount Everest base camp in 2017.

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Former British Army Commando founded ASA Group in 1999 as the sole employee, and the company now has offices in six countries


Former British Army Commando founded the service provider to the aviation industry in 1999 as the sole employee, and the company now has offices in six countries


Rolex

Timepieces

Why Falklands war veteran Simon Wagstaff now has Everest in his sights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Former British Army Commando founded ASA Group in 1999 as the sole employee, and the company now has offices in six countries

Former British Army Commando founded ASA Group in 1999 as the sole employee, and the company now has offices in six countries