AERALIS Team
Tristan has a wealth of experience in the UK, French and US aerospace industries having worked for Airbus, QinetiQ and Alcan Global Aerospace & Transportation. He has held leading roles in aerospace engineering, product development, marketing, technical sales and government relations. Tristan has an MA from Cambridge University, an MSc from Cranfield College of Aeronautics in Aerospace Vehicle Design, and an MSc from the University of Chicago.
Tristan had the idea for AERALIS whilst working on the BAe Hawk jet trainer at QinetiQ, where he recognised that the jet trainer market was not yet benefitting from the Airbus approach of exploiting modular design to better commercialise aircraft sales. This led to Tristan developing a design and patent for the ‘Airbus’ equivalent of jet trainers, i.e. a modular, common aircraft design that could be easily adapted to fulfil a variety of training roles to improve market appeal whilst also generating step-change lifecycle cost benefits for operators.
Neil leads on AERALIS partnerships, forging key relationships as part of integrating both UK and international Aerospace and Defence supply chains to deliver the AERALIS aircraft system.
Neil has held leadership positions on Military Helicopter, Large Civil Aircraft and Fast Jet Trainer activities at Messier Dowty, EHI, BAES, Airbus, MOD and ADS. This has included managing programme, procurement and supply chain teams in the UK, France, Italy and North America with a high degree of exposure to different cultures, customers, partners and suppliers worldwide including Europe, China, Russia, Japan and North America.
Neil’s experience of delivering new, and improving the efficiency of existing, complex procurement and supply organisations will help AERALIS develop the required delivery enterprise including UK and international partners.
In addition to his extensive industrial experience, Neil has an MBA and an Aerospace and Defence related PhD researching Servitization and Supply Chain efficiency under availability contracting.
Archie joined AERALIS at the end of 2021 and was delighted to take on the role of Head of Sales.
Archie started his career in the Royal Air Force as a pilot. This included flying Tornado F3 in Saudi Arabia and Bosnia-Herzegovinia. He was the Tornado display pilot, and in 1993 he obtained the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air. His last role in the Service was in Operational Requirements, where he was responsible for co-ordinating the 4-Nation assessment of the Eurofighter cockpit design and Weapons System interface.
Archie then joined BAE Systems where he formed part of the Typhoon Avionics Joint Team, providing operational input to Weapons System design. Archie also held the role of BAE Systems Chief Flying Instructor as well as Head of Training (Export); Typhoon Military Advisor to PCO, KSA; Typhoon Head of Support Operations KSA (incorporating General Manager Taif and Head of Flying Salam; Hawk T-X Campaign Director for the USAF trainer, then working parallel roles as UK Hawk Support Director and Business Development Director for Defence Information, Training and Services. He became BAE Systems’ Training Director in 2013, responsible for the training strategy and service delivery for Military Air and Information within BAE Systems, and in 2016 moved on to focus on the bids for Training and Typhoon into the Qatar Armed Forces.
Before joining AERALIS, Archie was Director of Operational Training, in support of the synthetic training initiative for the RAF.
Alison leads on commercial and governance strategy for AERALIS, primarily ensuring that all contractual and partnership arrangements are fit for purpose and support company growth.
Alison has a wealth of experience in the aerospace and defence sector, working on both MoD and international contracts worldwide. She began her career at British Aerospace Guided Weapons, moving to Hunting Engineering as Head of Commercial and then Commercial Director at Lockheed Martin INSYS.
She was chairman of UK’s aerospace & defence trade body Commercial Committee for 10 years, and a member of the governing body. She has been providing commercial consultancy and training to a large number of UK engineering, defence and aerospace companies for the past twelve years and has worked on a wide range of projects and tenders.
Anton is the Head of Capability, taking prime responsibility for delivering a regulatory approved organisation and an airworthy AERALIS jet from design concept through to Type Certification. He provides the key link to our Military and Civilian Regulators, and ensures AERALIS develops best-in-class focus on safety, quality and security throughout the organisation.
Anton joins AERALIS directly from a Chief Engineer role as the single authorised signatory for 7 aircraft types, both fixed and rotary wing. His 30 year Civil Service career, spanning military and civilian regulatory constructs across the world, has seen him successfully deliver certification for Typhoon, A400M, and multiple civil based aircraft, to secure operational capability for the UK MOD.
As well as two highly successful European tours spanning 9 years as multi-national certification representative, Anton spent over two years as the Airworthiness Lead for the newly-formed UK Military Aviation Authority. His depth and breadth of experience also provided Defence Equipment and Support with a pivotal leader for the Air and Space Engineering discipline and competence development.
As CIO, Terry is responsible for the strategy, design and implementation of technology systems covering all aspects of AERALIS’s manufacturing, operations, training and business functions.
With over 35 years board level experience in roles from CTO to Managing Director, Terry has extrapolated complex concepts into new business ideas, determined technology strategies and implemented elegant, scalable, transformative, cost effective and innovative technology solutions for a variety of businesses both large and small, including: Private Aviation, Venture Capital, Government, Finance, Legal, Manufacturing, Craft Brewing, Fashion, Film, IOT, Machine Learning and Internet based start-up businesses.
Previous to AERALIS, Terry was CTO and employee No.3 for NetJets Europe where he helped build a multi-site, European private aviation business with 168 aircraft under management and 3000+ staff, pilots & crew with sales of $1.8b as well as CIO at WPS Challenger which was an operator-led London based venture capital firm.
Matt is the Chief Systems Engineer for AERALIS covering both the aircraft systems and the Information System within which they operate, for all potential roles and applications.
Matt served as an Engineering Officer in the RAF for 20 years on Jaguar and Typhoon fast jet platforms and C-130 and C-17 air transport aircraft. He also spent considerable time in Defence Equipment and Support, including time as Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Procurement. Since leaving the RAF, Matt has owned and run a number of technical companies developing software applications for mobile devices, processing large datasets, and supporting clients in delivering their compliance and certification for civil and military users. He recently led the military certification and introduction to service of the UK MOD’s 3 new, civil-derivative, fixed wing training aircraft.
With a breadth of aircraft and digital experience, Matt ensures that the systems on and off the aircraft integrate effectively to provide a highly capable training solution.
Colin is responsible for integrating the programmes of our partners with the Core AERALIS programme, culminating in the 1st flight of the Modular Concept Aircraft and subsequent certification of the Advanced Jet Trainer variant.
Colin Has 30 years’ experience in Aerospace, operating for the last 20 years in senior leadership positions in Operations, Engineering and Programme Management. These include international roles with SAFRAN (Landing Gear Systems) and AIM Altitude (Interiors), covering UK, France, Canada and New Zealand. The breadth of disciplines and cultural experience brought by Colin will assist AERALIS greatly in building the Enterprise.
In addition to his industrial experience, Colin has served on the board of WEAF and is a Fellow of the RAeS.
Kane is the Head of Production for AERALIS and is responsible for developing the digitally integrated final assembly capability that will transform the AERALIS design concept into reality.
Kane has more than 25 years of experience in manufacturing operations, 15 of which are in Senior Leadership roles such as Operations Director and Vice President of Operations. He has led large scale manufacturing facilities in Automotive, Electronics, Industrial Products, Defence, and Aerospace industries, and is experienced in transforming operational performance. More recently, Kane has led his own consultancy, and has shared his extensive skills and experience by authoring his first book – ‘Lean Foundations’.
David is Head of Sales Programme, leading the integration of sales campaign and delivery programme activities and development of advanced service delivery models.
David has over 25 years’ experience working across defence, aviation, transportation, IT and simulation sectors in the UK, Europe, North America and Africa.
David previous role was Head of Defence for the Mott MacDonald’s Global Advisory Division. David provided technical, commercial and programme advisory services for a £23Bn portfolio of the UK’s largest and most complex defence capability programmes, including Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft the UK Military Flying Training System (Ascent’s Advanced Jet Training and Fixed Wing Training projects, Affinity Fixed Wing Aircraft Service Provision project), Search and Rescue-Helicopters, Astute Class Training System and Defence Training Review. David also led the Mott MacDonald team providing the £250M Programme Delivery Partner service to UK MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S).
Prior to Mott MacDonald, David served 15 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Navy.
David’s extensive experience of defining and delivering large scale and complex Defence Aviation and Training services will help AERALIS meet UK and international customer challenges.
David is a Chartered Project Professional, Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Fellow of the Association for Project Management with an MSc in IT, and is an MBA graduate.
Rebecca runs the AERALIS Marketing and PR Department, co-ordinating marketing and PR campaigns as well as managing event planning.
Prior to this she worked for over 10 years in the Advertising industry and was an Account Director at International Advertising Agency, Ogilvy. Whilst there she ran campaigns for clients including IBM, British Telecom, Huggies and British Gas.
Following this, Rebecca worked in Operations for Aviation Consultancy, Northpoint, before joining AERALIS.
Kay runs the team delivering consultancy HR and Payroll services to AERALIS, and leads the company’s recruitment and people agenda.
Before working with AERALIS, Kay managed the HR functions of a number of fast-growing engineering and tech-based companies. Her previous experience spans more than 20 years and covers a wide range of HR specialisms, including time in BT and in financial services.
Luca is responsible for developing the engineering, procurement and supply chain capability for the AERALIS aircraft and training system programme.
Luca is an experienced Programme Manager having worked on a range of UK MoD and international defence programmes including programme and business development roles with Morgan Advanced Materials, as Chairman of the Defence Export Focus Group for the UK’s aerospace & defence trade body, and leading a range of collaborative defence projects for Team Defence Information. Since 2017 Luca has been running the AERALIS design and engineering programme with a team of talented and innovative engineers from across the UK aerospace, defence and Formula 1 sectors.
Luca is also a Non-Executive Director for the Alan Turing Trust, an advisor to the MoD on better exploitation of supply chain capabilities, a qualified Prince 2 practitioner and a Member of the Institute of Directors and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Bhavini is the Financial Controller producing financial management of AERALIS.
Bhavini has experience supporting rapidly growing businesses for 13 years and has considerable experience advising companies through this dramatic period of change. Most recently, she has helped a Home Office grant-funded public sector company with revenues of £50m plus.
Bhavini is an ACCA qualified accountant with a degree in Computing and Statistics. She qualified Isosceles Finance and has built up significant experience across the software and technology sectors as well as not-for-profit organisations, and the hospitality, retail and motor racing sectors.
Bhavini has strong commercial skills. She has direct experience of working in the pressurised environment of an M&A team that has achieved a number of successful exits. She has been involved with many clients through their business lifecycle from their early stages, through rapid growth to their successful exit.
Simon is responsible for establishing a UK aerospace supply chain for the AERALIS aircraft development programme.
Simon’s experience includes the role of Managing Director of AeSoM, a successful aerospace supply chain service offering a sales, business management and supply chain service to aerospace companies wishing to grow their businesses in Europe. Simon brings expertise in Engineering, Procurement and Sales, having started as an aerodynamicist for BAe (Airbus) Ltd., then transferring to the Airbus Procurement department, working with suppliers from all over the world, majoring on France, Germany and the US. This was followed by working as European Business Manager for the Eldec division of the Crane Corporation based in Seattle.
Gary is the Chief Synthetics Engineer for AERALIS, leading off-aircraft systems design and development including; synthetic testing and training devices; architecting and embedding digital Design Organisation processes; system design data integration and regulator engagement for digital assurance.
Gary served as an AeroSystems Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force for over 25 years, predominantly on Nimrod MR2 and Tornado GR1/4 aircraft and across numerous disciplines including Electronic Warfare, Mission Systems, Airframe, Structures and Electrical/Electronic Engineering. Since leaving the Royal Air Force, Gary has worked as an independent contractor to the MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation and more recently, was the Head of Safety & Assurance for Ascent Flight Training Limited, the MOD’s chosen supplier of flight training services. In his time with Ascent, Gary was also a key enabler for the successful military type-certification of the five new platforms procured for the UK Military Flight Training System.
Gary is a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineering & Technology and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.
Peter leads on the overall aerodynamic design & development of the AERALIS aircraft.
Peter was formerly Chief Technical Officer at the UK’s Aircraft Research Association (ARA) where he led the development of leading edge experimental aerodynamics capability and lent his expertise to research and development projects for ARA customers worldwide.
Peter has worked as an aerodynamicist since completing his degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1984. Peter initially worked at British Aerospace in Kingston, before subsequently moving to Farnborough where Peter worked on a number of research projects before becoming heavily involved in the initial design of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, including a two-year stint in the USA. Peter also played a pivotal role in the preliminary and detailed aerodynamic design of the Nimrod MRA4 and also in-service development of the Harrier VTOL aircraft.
Richard is responsible for the sound engineering integration of structures, aerodynamics, safety and systems design for the AERALIS aircraft.
Richard has extensive programme experience across the A350 XWB, A380 and A340-600 aircraft programmes in a wide range of aerospace engineering disciplines. Richard has led airliner wing and fuselage static analysis from concept to in-service repair, fuel system design, landing gear integration, system integration and R&D leadership, project and resource management.
Richard joined British Aerospace as an undergraduate apprentice and studied Mechanical Engineering, working throughout the production & design process to form a requirements-driven, holistic view on good product design. Having led a small-focussed team to trouble-shoot critical aircraft system issues, Richard is a strong believer in the power of small, motivated teams to deliver on large projects.
Richard comes as a Consultant from Atkins Aerospace where he is Chief Systems Engineer, tapping into Atkins’ group of engineers and consultants.
Martin provides advice on propulsion and propulsion system integration into the AERALIS aircraft.
Martin spent over 40 years with BAE Systems and predecessor companies, initially completing an apprenticeship followed by work on the Concorde fuel system at Filton before moving to Warton in 1976. Here he worked on a number of projects such as Jaguar, Tornado, Typhoon and Nimrod MRA4, initially managing propulsion system engineering through the life cycle phases of design and development, production and support.
He then took on wider responsibility, managing large multi-site teams across aircraft engineering more generally on Nimrod MRA4 (where he was also Aircraft Project Safety Engineer for a time) and other programmes.
Martin is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Alex is responsible for managing the complex engineering and system requirement set for the AERALIS aircraft and training system.
Alex has 8 years of experience in the defence sector in engineering, project management, and technology development. He has held various roles with Babcock International Group working with both defence and civil sides of the business. Alex has previously acted as the industry lead for the Defence Support Logistics Remote and Autonomous Systems working group and sits as advisor to the Team Defence Vanguard.
Charlie is Programme Manager Support Officer for AERALIS, and also covers Risk Management.
Charlie was born and raised in South East London and developed a love for all things flying from a young age. He was an air cadet for most of his teenage life and studied for a masters in Aerospace Engineering at Bristol University with a goal to working in the aerospace industry. After graduating he took a year out to do a ski season and work at a school for children with special educational needs. He then started working at Bulb, a start-up renewable energy supplier and Europe’s fastest growing company. He quickly worked his way up through Bulb and started to manage debt collection. He is now very happy to be working for AERALIS where he can make use of his Aerospace qualifications.
Allan Goody is an experienced senior professional in engineering, logistics, training and programme management. A retired Royal Air Force Air Commodore, he has wide experience of acquisition across Defence from all 3 perspectives of Capability Requirements as MOD Director Training Capability responsible for the transformation of individual training of all 3 Services, DE&S Deputy Project Team Leader and Chief Engineer for the Nimrod MRA4, and in operational appointments including Officer Commanding Engineering & Supply Wing at RAF Leuchars.
Allan has more than 25 years’ experience of creating and improving Support solutions in UK, Sweden, Finland and Japan. He is an Independent Technical Adviser to banks for the UK Military Flying Training System Fixed Wing service provision which is being delivered as a PFI.
Dean is responsible for developing the AERALIS sales pipeline and converting opportunities into sales, internally ensuring the AERALIS offer reflects market demands.
Dean comes to AERALIS with 30 years’ experience in the development of new military aerospace business, from strategy to sales. Having set strategy for Rolls-Royce for projects such as F-35 and A400M at their inception, he brings to AERALIS know-how around the early evolution of projects. He managed market analysis and strategy development for Rolls-Royce in the defence market, catalysing sales campaigns and setting new directions.
As the role of the service provider grows within the global trainer market, Dean brings the insights to tailor the full AERALIS offering, having led – and won – the campaign to provide the RAF with its latest 3 trainer aircraft as a turnkey service. With 5 years prior experience within the team that won the £10Bn refuelling aircraft service provision contract for the RAF and having assembled Babcock’s bid team for adversary air services, he has unrivalled knowledge of how an aircraft fits into service solutions and how these deals are won.
Don provides advice on international relations with a particular focus on the Nordic Region and NATO.
Don is a former RAF Wing Commander and Qualified Flying Instructor with over 5000 hrs. He focussed on capability development and international relations, concluding his service as the UK Defence Attaché to Sweden and Finland. Don then worked for NATO Allied Command Transformation before moving to the International Staff Defence Investment Division in NATO HQ in Brussels, where he was instrumental in several multi-national projects including NATO Flying Training Europe.
Don has now set up his own consultancy business advising on engagement with NATO and the Nordics.
Simon Chelton leads on the development of the Japan relationship. In his 30+ year career as a logistician in the Royal Navy, serving in ships and submarines, he served three times in Japan, including 4 years as Defence Attaché from 2003 to 2007. He was Vice President Japan Strategy in BAE Systems from 2009 to 2012 and has since spent 10 years working on a variety of projects linking UK and Japanese defence industry. He is also an Associate of a number of thinktanks, including RUSI in London, the International Security Industry Council of Japan and SAGE International Australia.
Graham is responsible for Aeralis’s capture management system and providing support for business winning across the entire sales lifecycle.
Graham is an expert in market strategy, competitive positioning, and industrial participation (offsets) and has considerable experience winning complex business opportunities in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
Before joining Aeralis, Graham had a 34-year career with BAE Systems Plc and worked on some of the most iconic defence aerospace programmes, including the Harrier Jump Jet, Future Carrier Borne Aircraft, Hawk trainer, Eurofighter Typhoon, Nimrod MRA4 and uncrewed autonomous systems.
Graham holds an MBA and is a chartered engineer and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
John currently leads on the development of AERALIS relationship in France and broader Europe. In a 39-year career as an RAF pilot and Defence Diplomat, John is a former Defence Attaché to Paris and Senior Military Advisor with the European Union’s External Action Service. In academia, he is a graduate of the Centre de Hautes Études Militaires, Paris and the US Air Force University Maxwell and now lectures in International Relations Theory at Canterbury Christ Church University. John joined AERALIS as an associate in 2021.
ADVISORY BOARD
Bob Bell
Former Technical Director of Mercedes Formula 1
Malcolm Bird
Founder ARM & Chairman of e-Go, a lightweight recreational aircraft
Keith Dennison
Keith Dennison, former Chief Test Pilot, BAE Systems
Professor John Fielding
Emeritus Professor of Aircraft Design at Cranfield University
Professor Iain Gray
Head of Aerospace, Cranfield University & Former MD of Airbus UK
Sir Gerald Howarth
MP for 35 years & Former Shadow Defence Procurement Minister
William Hynett OBE
CEO of Britten-Norman Ltd
Keith McKay
Former Airframer Expert, BAE Systems
Neil Rawlinson
Strategic Director, Manufacturing Technology Centre
John Turner
Former Chief Test Pilot, BAE Systems
The board
Brian leads the AERALIS Main Board to ensure good governance of the AERALIS company.
Brian was formerly Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK Insys Ltd, following a management buyout of Hunting Engineering for which Brian was Managing Director and Engineering Director. Brian has also held non-executive positions as Chair of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, National Board of the British Chambers of Commerce, and Chair of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.
Brian is a Chartered Engineer, member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, an Honorary Fellow of the Society of Environmental Engineers, a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He has served on a number of bodies such as the Society of British Aerospace Companies, the CBI Technology/Innovation committee, and the Court of Cranfield University. Brian was appointed a CBE for services to the Defence Industry in 2004.
After initially taking responsible for developing AERALIS’s investor base, Nic now leads on the company’s ESG policy, whilst also advising on AERALIS’s end-to-end IT infrastructure.
Nic has spent over 40 years growing & running major IT companies including Ingres, Gupta, Constellar & Comshare, including 10 years working in Silicon Valley during the Dot.com period. Nic has strong International Business Development experience, scaling up early stage companies and fund raising, and is an angel investor for several IT start-ups.
Nic has lead significant fundraising for innovative IT projects & start-ups whilst leading the Entrepreneurship panel for the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists, becoming Master of the Company in 2015. Nic is also Deputy Chairman of the Hammersmith Academy Trust.
As AERALIS’ Senior Military Advisor, Mark supports the development and implementation of the Programme’s Business Plan, the design and development of the AERALIS aircraft and all elements of the training system.
Mark’s first flying tour in the Royal Air Force was as Qualified Flying Instructor at RAF Valley on the Hawk TMK1. He went on to fly the Harrier, Tornado and Jaguar before returning to RAF Valley as the Station Commander and Chief Flying Instructor. He held Central Flying School’s A2 flying instructional categories on the Hawk and Harrier and was also the CFS Agent for the Harrier Force. His staff appointments included Director of Flying Training and Air Officer Commanding 22Gp. He worked on the Joint Strike Fighter Programme for some 10 years responsible for authoring the UK’s requirement through to becoming the Project Team Leader and procuring the first UK aircraft. After leaving the RAF in 2014, Mark joined Lockheed Martin as their Business Development Director for Global Training Systems.
Mark joined the AERALIS Team in 2019. His experience in the RAF at literally all levels of the flying training system (student to Air Officer Commanding) together with his acquisition and latterly commercial experience in Industry, makes Mark uniquely qualified to support all elements of the AERALIS programme.
Richard leads the market engagement programme for AERALIS as well as co-ordinating the evaluation of customer requirements for the AERALIS aircraft design and training system.
Richard is a former RAF Wing Commander and Qualified Flying Instructor with over 6,000 flying hours, including over 3,000 hours on the Hawk jet trainer aircraft. Richard went on to lead development of all requirements for training aircraft and flight simulators in the UK Ministry of Defence, where he was responsible for the first four MoD PFI projects, and the first studies that led to the UK Military Flying Training System. He was awarded the OBE for his success in upgrading most of the RAF’s training systems while in the MoD.
Following the RAF, Richard joined BAE Systems in various training and business development roles and was Head of Training within Military Air. He then moved on to develop his own consultancy business advising on training system design & procurement.
Bill is responsible for the sound financial management of the AERALIS company.
Bill is a commercially-orientated Group Finance Director and Non-Executive Director with considerable corporate finance, financial and operational management experience in Europe and the United States, both in international listed companies as well in a Private Equity backed MBO.
Bill’s experience includes MBO funding and syndication, refinancing and private debt placement, Plc Equity Raising (Placements & Rights Issues) and Takeover experience, secondary Buyout and Financial Restructuring experience, Acquisitions, Disposals and Demergers, and as an Audit Committee Chairman. Bill has also been a Board Member of the UK government’s Industrial Development Advisory Board, advising Ministers on financial assistance and Government grants for UK aerospace and other sectors.
Roger is responsible for advising on strategy for growth, product and service enhancement and consequential cash needs and exit timings for the AERALIS company.
Roger is a successful private investor having led a 2,000 strong global IT business majoring in software for international banks. Having sold that for some $110million in 1993 Roger has invested and supported some 30 small IT businesses most of which Roger has now sold. Prior to this Roger worked for IBM, leading a large sales & systems analyst team for a large automotive customer, having previously worked for the Beagle aircraft company as an engineering undergraduate from Cambridge University.
Roger has led the creation of some 3,000 jobs and created £500M of value for shareholders. He has also been President of the IT Trade associations for the UK and Europe and the founding Chairman of the World Computer Services Forum, securing a worldwide software copyright agreement in the 1980s. Roger is also the Founding Chairman of Archives of IT (archivesit.org.uk), inspiring future leaders of IT through insights into the experiences of their predecessors.