Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in aviation?
A: I grew up close to Warton, so even as a schoolboy, I was fascinated by the jets overhead — Hawks, Harriers, Tornadoes, and even the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) that paved the way for Typhoon. As a youngster, I joined the Air Cadets, then later at university, I studied aeronautical engineering and joined the University Air Squadron. This led to my RAF career flying Harriers, Hawks, and ultimately Typhoon. I remember vividly being a 19-year-old under-grad student, watching through the fence at Warton the first take-off of Eurofighter in the UK; I knew then that I wanted to get as close as I could to this amazing, powerful machine.
Q: Tell us about how your RAF career got started.
A: After university I joined the RAF’s fast-jet training programme, which was as challenging as it was rewarding. My first front-line tour was flying the Harrier. It was an incredible aircraft to operate, with its unique vertical take-off and landing capabilities. After my time on the Harrier, I became a fast-jet flying instructor on the Hawk at RAF Valley. That role was incredibly fulfilling because it wasn’t just about teaching flying skills — it was about instilling confidence and resilience in the next generation of RAF pilots. Being part of their journey as they progressed into front-line roles was extremely rewarding.
Q: When did you first encounter Typhoon?
A: After my initial glimpse through the fence my relationship with Typhoon really began when I got a role working as the RAF’s Requirements Manager at Warton. Here I contributed to cockpit design, simulator systems, and helmet technologies. It gave me a real appreciation for the complex engineering and innovation that goes into making Typhoon one of the world’s leading combat aircraft.
I was then fortunate to transition to flying Typhoon operationally when I joined 3 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Coningsby as a flight commander. This was a real career highlight. Our main role was quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties, ready to intercept potential threats to UK airspace at a moment’s notice.
One of the most significant periods in my RAF career was Operation Ellamy, during the Libya conflict in 2011. Typhoon made its operational debut there, and it really proved its worth. We operated alongside Tornadoes, combining Typhoon’s ‘austere’ air-surface capabilities and air-to-air dominance with advanced radar and Link 16 with Tornado’s precision weapons. Typhoon didn’t miss a single sortie throughout the entire operation, which was a testament to its reliability and the teamwork behind it.
It marked Typhoon’s coming of age and answered any questions about its capability especially the constant upgrades that arrived throughout the deployment as well as its unmatched reliability.
Q: How did your career progress?
A: In between all the flying tours I also attended staff college and served in Typhoon Force Headquarters at RAF Coningsby as well as a role in the Ministry of Defence in London. These roles were more strategic, focusing on ensuring the Typhoon fleet remained ready and capable for future missions. I returned once again to 3 (Fighter) Squadron as the Officer Commanding. During this time, we participated in high-end exercises worldwide, including deployments to Malaysia, Oman, the UAE and the United States for Exercise Red Flag — the biggest and best training exercise in the world. My final deployment was to Cyprus to take part in Operation SHADER over Iraq and Syria where the Typhoon was even more operationally capable than before, with a standard load-out of 4 x Paveway IV precision weapons and a Litening III Advanced Targeting Pod as well as being equipped with the Striker I advanced helmet system. Yet again, Typhoon proved its reliability with not one mission being lost throughout the entire 4-month deployment. The jet has continued to develop at pace since then with Meteor, Brimstone and Storm Shadow all being integrated through Project Centurion.
My career came full circle with my final RAF assignment when I became Station Commander at RAF Valley and Commandant of No. 4 Flying Training School. In this role, I was responsible for training fast-jet pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy, and our international partners.
Q: What is the Delivery Director role at BAE Systems focused on?
A: It is about delivering advanced capabilities, mostly directly to the RAF but also many of which benefit all Typhoon operators, ensuring Typhoon remains a world-class combat aircraft. For me, the future of Typhoon is even more exciting than its past.
Over the past few months, we’ve delivered new capabilities which help the RAF with operations and training on its Typhoon fleet, including weapons testing and development flying for Striker II, our most advanced pilot’s helmet. There are many other capabilities that we are working on, many of which will be tested throughout 2025: the next set of upgrades for the UK, all of which enhance Typhoon’s capability against ever-increasing threat systems.
Looking further ahead, my colleagues are also progressing key capabilities at pace, including the ECRS Mk2 radar development, and cockpit enhancements including a large-area display. These projects are already well underway and will ensure Typhoon remains the backbone of combat air power for decades to come.
While the work is complex, it’s deeply rewarding. My priority is supporting the team—ensuring they have the resources, trust, and environment to innovate and deliver.
Q: What makes the Typhoon such an exceptional aircraft?
A: Its adaptability and reliability. Typhoon is a proven multi-role platform capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. With the capability advancements we are working on, it continues to evolve to meet modern threats.
Q: How do you ensure urgency and frontline priorities resonate with your team?
A: I believe it’s vital to connect our engineers and suppliers with the operators. We regularly bring in RAF personnel to share their experiences, which helps everyone understand the impact of their work. Whether it’s developing new software or manufacturing hardware, we remind our teams that they’re contributing to frontline operations. It’s about fostering a sense of purpose and urgency across the entire enterprise including all Eurofighter Partner Companies as well as the supply chain. The world is a dangerous place, never in my lifetime has it been more important for our customer air forces to be equipped with the best possible capabilities, they need more and need it faster than ever before.
Q: What do you miss most about the RAF?
A: While I miss the thrill of flying Typhoon, what stands out most is the immense satisfaction of being part of a high-performing team. Whether it was a four-ship formation or a whole squadron deployment, the sense of purpose and unity was unmatched. I’m fortunate to experience that teamwork still in my current role, working alongside some brilliant people to deliver for the RAF and all Typhoon operators.
From my RAF days to my role at BAE Systems, it’s always been about the team. The challenges are immense, but what I have learned is that with the right people, anything is possible.
Q: What does it mean to you to work on the Eurofighter programme today?
A: It’s an immense privilege. Having flown Typhoon and now contributing to its evolution, I understand the difference it makes to the frontline. The aircraft is constantly pushing boundaries, and being part of that journey is both exciting and rewarding.
Q: Finally, how do you relax?
A: I make it a priority to get out into the fresh air as much as possible. Walking and biking are great ways to clear my mind and stay active. Spending quality time with friends and family is also really important to me. And I like to support local businesses when I can— such as our nearby pub and vineyard!