Wynne Aviation, headquartered at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, has been part of the city’s business landscape for decades. Founded by David Hughes, the company began as a small haulage operation and has since evolved into a multi-service logistics business – offering contract logistics, road freight, customs clearance and aircraft handling for clients across the UK and beyond.

David’s son Tom Hughes took over the business alongside his cousin Mark and – like many businesses – Wynne Aviation faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, with its core automotive customer base hit hard. The pair recognised that, while Wynne had grown naturally over the years, it was time to pause, refocus and plan for the future.

“We’d got to a point in the business where we were at a crossroads,” says managing director Tom Hughes. “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.”

But with its bonded warehouse, X-ray facilities and fleet already in place, the business pivoted quickly to serve new international markets – and with support from Liverpool City Council, began to sharpen its focus for long-term growth.

Working with advisors Mark Butchard (business strategy) and Phil Davies (sales and marketing), the Wynne team embarked on a process to redefine the company’s direction. Instead of a traditional corporate plan, the advisors helped the business create a flexible, evolving strategy that allowed Wynne to maintain its agility while gaining structure and purpose.

“It was like therapy for the business,” Tom laughs. “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 part of the process, Wynne recruited its first business development manager, Paul, to help build long-term customer partnerships rather than chase volume. The results have been significant:

• The company is on track to secure three new blue-chip partners identified during the support process

• Wynne has expanded its footprint to the Isle of Man
• The team is exploring UK–Canada trade opportunities following recent US tariffs, having met with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and visited the House of Lords to explore new markets

With a renewed sense of direction, Tom and Mark are now leading Wynne Aviation into its next phase with confidence and focus.

“We realised we don’t need hundreds of customers,” Tom says. “We just need the right few – genuine partners who see us as part of their process.”

Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:

“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.”

Wynne Aviation’s story demonstrates how Liverpool’s business support network is helping local firms strengthen their foundations and seize new opportunities – at home and abroad.

Liverpool City Council’s Business Support Service has received £451,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority.

Businesses interested in accessing support can visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/businesssupportservice.