How did it come about, from memory it all began in the early 90's when it became accepted that company pilots would no longer fly different (cross) types. As new types were brought online, created the need for a type specialist. (a pilot that already has experience in the type and knows what their doing) these created the position of fleet manager. as a consequence of that we now have essentially two very different training departments within the same company. The head of check and training was created in order to keep the companies training organisation as much as possible the same. The chief pilot in name only has varied over the years, manager flight standards, manager flight operations and most companies have more than one approved chief pilot in the event he needs to be replaced at short notice. The CEO and CFO is a companies requirement. I don't know what a HOO is or does. Anybody?