Prior to joining Budapest Airport Kam held senior Marketing and Operations positions within the airline and rent a car industry in both the UK and Germany.

Most recently he was the Director Sales for Star Alliance Services GmbH where he helped shape and implement a detailed sales strategy across the airline alliance.

A British National of Indian origin, Kam studied in the UK and is a graduate of the Open University Business School where he completed his MBA.

Kam is married and has two daughters aged 12 and 14 who attend the American International School of Budapest.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I came in July 2009 recruited by Budapest Airport as their Executive Director for Aviation. I look after the operations side of the airport as well as aviation marketing. It is very exciting, especially this last year after opening a fantastic new terminal in bud:skycourt to losing the national airline but we have to adapt to change and I believe we have done a good job so far.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, my wife, two daughters and I lived just outside Frankfurt, Germany between 2003 – 2007 when I worked as Director Sales for Star Alliance Services GmbH.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
The climate – pleasantly because the soaring heat in the summer was totally unexpected but we will miss it in the winter and of course the potential that still exists in Hungary. It is also amazingly accessible by most modes of transport.

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
I have established a tour based on practice – start at the top and enjoy the views from Citadella, then enjoy a river cruise on any of the operated boats or even “waterbus”, take a 2 hour hop on/hop off tour, head to the kerts in the evening before finishing off with a nice dinner in one of the many restaurants – we prefer eating out on raday utca but often we explore others. Then on day 2, there is an abundance of museums to choose from – particular favourites being the house of terror and the national museum. If there is still time, the zoo is a must, dependent upon the time of year.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Lecsó – I have simple taste! Though Palacsinta is quite agreeable too.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Chilli sauce and gherkins!!!

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
“Tudom” I know it is 2 but it is better than nem or nincs!

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Actually, when it is very warm here, I miss the rain and green fields of England.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Helping discover talented youngsters from poor or under privileged backgrounds for sports or related programmes as they will not get any chances otherwise.

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Prime minister of Hungary – at the moment it is an impossible job for anyone.

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
Turkey – Side near Antalya to be more specific thanks to a great offer from Best reisen!

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Not really a holiday but we have 5 days in early November where I will be running the NYC marathon for charity – pls feel free to sponsor me, they are excellent causes! After this we plan a short ski trip to Austria during the Christmas holidays.

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
I was really in to U2 and the Jam but did get bitten by the New Romantic era with occasional interest in the sounds of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. Best film was and still is the Godfather. Being one of 3 brothers at the time we pretended to be the Corleone brothers though no-one wanted to be Fredo! I used to enjoy playing soccer and still do occasionally when not marathon training.

14. What can't you resist?
Having the last word – I always try to be polite and none confrontational but always try to get the last words in!

15. Red wine or white?
Both, but red is slightly a higher priority for me!

16. Book or movie?
Book – it is much more descriptive and forces the imagination to be used.

17. Morning person or night person?
Morning, especially during spring and summer – nothing better than being on Margit sziget when the sun is rising and feeling like a million dollars when you finish your run!

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
That not enough is being done to help the homeless get support. Whilst I try to help when I can, simply just giving loose change or donating old clothes is a temporary solution to a wider problem.

19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda to live and Pest to play!

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
The only limits in life are those you place on yourself!

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