- new cohort of ‘aviation ambassadors’ announced to help
inspire next generation to take up rewarding careers in the
sector
- this year’s group includes the UK’s youngest qualified flying
instructor, a trailblazing air traffic controller, and a former
Air League scholar
- forms part of wider Generation Aviation
where government and industry are working together to build an
aviation workforce fit for the future
The government has revealed the names of the next cohort of
aviation ambassadors
who will engage with young people and help inspire them to pursue
a rewarding and successful career in aviation.
Working with the government, the ambassadors will share their
skills and experience, particularly with young people and
underrepresented groups, to highlight the wide range of
opportunities available in the sector.
They will help to raise the profile of aviation, promoting it as
an exciting and accessible career, supporting the development and
expansion of career pathways, developing outreach activities in
communities across the country, and supporting efforts to
champion diversity, accessibility and social mobility.
This work is vital to ensuring we have a workforce fit for the
future, helping retention and recruitment, and ensuring a
sustainable talent pipeline.
Aviation Minister Baroness Vere said:
This year’s cohort of aviation ambassadors yet again shines a
light on the enormous talent we have in our world-leading sector.
From champions for women and girls’ opportunities to young people
who have already proven themselves to be rising stars in the
industry, I look forward to working with our ambassadors to
encourage more and more people to consider a career in aviation.
We’ll continue doing everything in our power to support ongoing
growth in the sector following the pandemic, nurture fresh
talent, and realise a new generation of aviation workers.
This year’s group of inspirational individuals includes
16-year-old Jack Jenner-Hall, the UK’s youngest pilot who qualified as a
glider pilot at the age of 14. Jack is passionate about aviation
and STEM
and is keen to share this passion to inspire people to get
involved with the aviation industry and show that anything is
possible, whatever your age.
Kanchana Gamage also joins this year’s cohort. As the founder of
the Aviatrix Project, Kanchana leads initiatives to encourage
women and girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to
consider a career in aviation and aerospace.
The group also includes Brian Wheeler, who’s was paralysed in May
2018 with a rare condition called Cauda Equina Syndrome and was
told it was unlikely he would ever walk again. He not only learnt
to walk, he ran a half marathon in 2021 raising money for the
disabled flying charity Aerobility, where he is a trustee.
The full group includes:
- Adel Charles, UK
HR Director at
dnata
UK Ltd
- Brian Wheeler, NATS Deputy General
Manager of Operations
- Carol Anderson, aviation lawyer, Clyde & Co
- Daniela Agachi, fuel cell engineer and mentor at ZeroAvia
- Emma Henderson MBE,
CEO of Project
Wingman
- Jack Jenner Hall, glider pilot and aviation advocate
- Keith Bennett, drone and counter-drone capability lead for
West Midlands Police
- Kanchana Gamage, founder of the Aviatrix Project
- Kathan Dudhela, the UK’s
youngest flight instructor and the world’s youngest flight
examiner
- Katherine Moloney, Director of Transair Flight Equipment
- Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee, Senior Flight Systems Engineer
at BAESystems
- Suzy Morgan, captain on the Boeing 777 at British Airways
- Tetyana Shevchenko, accountable manager, airworthiness
coordinator, compliance manager and pilot
Outreach programmes will see the ambassadors inspiring young
people by providing practical experience, and engaging with the
next generation to help solve current and future challenges faced
by the industry.
Importantly, the work of this year’s cohort will showcase the
varied job opportunities in aviation, including for those that
have worked in aviation roles before and those that haven’t, and
including less well known roles that people may not have
considered before.
