Bankole Bernard, the Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, has been appointed Chairman of the Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems, CASS Nigeria Local Consultative Council. His organisation oversees several aviation and travel businesses, giving him deep insight into the commercial and operational environment in which CASS Nigeria functions. Bernard brings decades of leadership and industry experience to a role that remains central to the nation’s cargo and aviation ecosystem.
His appointment was confirmed by the CASS Directorate after a review of leadership requirements for the Nigerian Council. His extensive background makes him a strong fit for a position that demands technical knowledge, stakeholder confidence and a clear understanding of settlement procedures. This combination of skills positions him to guide the Council through a period of change and increasing operational demands.
Before taking on this assignment, Bernard served as Chairman of the Agency Programme Joint Council, a body designed to foster collaboration between agencies and airlines. The platform encouraged stronger policy implementation and improved commercial relationships. His work at the APJC influenced industry conversations around transparency, improved data reliability and more effective communication. That experience now strengthens his ability to support the development of CASS Nigeria as it adjusts to rapid changes within the cargo landscape.
His appointment marks a significant step for CASS Nigeria, particularly as the structure continues to drive transparency and reinforce stronger settlement procedures across the cargo chain. This transition reflects wider efforts to modernise operations in a sector where efficiency, trust and accurate data remain increasingly essential. Bernard is therefore arriving at a moment when the system requires stable leadership and a clear strategic direction.
CASS itself, established by the International Air Transport Association, provides a unified framework that simplifies billing and settlement between airlines and cargo agents. It ensures that payments, invoices and financial records follow strict standards which reduce disputes and improve discipline. The Nigerian market, with its rising cargo potential, relies on CASS to maintain consistency, strengthen confidence and support smoother service delivery across the system.
The structure of CASS has evolved in recent years to improve coordination within local markets. IATA, in partnership with FIATA, merged earlier advisory groups into Local Consultative Councils. This created a dedicated consultative body in each participating country. The CASS Nigeria Local Consultative Council now serves as the recognised platform where airlines, freight forwarders and associated groups discuss settlement practices, data quality, compliance and local operational realities. The Council’s purpose is to create alignment between global expectations and national industry needs.
CASS Nigeria must address several emerging challenges, including rising demand for cargo services, the push for digital integration, stronger compliance frameworks and the need for harmonised timelines. Having an experienced leader offers stability as the Council navigates settlement issues that often involve commercial, regulatory and operational considerations. The next phase requires a balance of innovation and accountability, with industry members expecting improved accuracy and seamless processes.
Bernard assumes leadership during a period of transformation within Nigeria’s aviation and cargo sectors. New investments, stronger regulatory actions and growing interest in digital systems are reshaping the environment. CASS Nigeria must therefore play a more active role in ensuring that settlement standards keep pace with these developments. A dependable settlement framework instils confidence in airlines, strengthens freight forwarders’ operations and supports predictable outcomes for cargo operators.
As Chairman, Bernard will work with airlines, regulators, logistics companies and CASS financial partners to maintain fair and efficient settlement procedures. His leadership will help the Council identify gaps, promote compliance and advance reforms that enhance financial discipline. He is expected to encourage stronger communication within the industry, ensuring that concerns receive timely and appropriate responses.
Industry stakeholders see his appointment as a natural progression of his previous achievements. Many expect that he will apply his structured and consultative style as CASS Nigeria seeks a more resilient and future-ready settlement structure. The Council must continue to serve as a central pillar of Nigeria’s cargo landscape, offering a stable foundation for financial and operational alignment across the sector.
As CASS Nigeria enters a new era, stakeholders express confidence that the system will maintain predictable, transparent and secure settlement processes. Bernard’s arrival signals renewed commitment to strengthening national cargo operations while preserving the global standards that underpin CASS worldwide.
