About Us

Founded in 1909, the Air League is the UK’s leading aviation, aerospace, and space charity that changes lives. It breaks down the barriers into these industries through its scholarships and outreach programmes.

What we do

The Air League inspires, enables, and supports the next generation of aviation, aerospace, and space professionals from all backgrounds. By bridging the gap between education and industry the Air League impacts communities across the United Kingdom.
Through its programmes and projects, the Air League increases social mobility, breaks down the perceived barriers and acts as a catalyst to spark the inspiration and realisation that opportunities and possibilities are accessible to anyone.

changing lives

Each year thousands of individuals around the UK benefit from Air League support, including disadvantaged youngsters and wounded and injured servicemen and women. Equally important is ensuring this next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders are at the forefront of developing greener and more sustainable technologies.

supporting our industries

The Air League supports the UK’s aviation and aerospace industries through Parliamentary events and position papers which articulate the advanced technologies and crucial industry skills which are vital to the economic success of the UK. The Air League’s annual programme of events and lectures provide members with insight across a broad spectrum of subjects and a unique networking opportunity.

HRH THE PRINCE PHILIP DUKE OF EDINBURGH KG KT

Patron of the Air League
1952 - 2021

Key people

Sir Christopher Harper KBE FRAeS

President

Claire MacAleese FRAeS

Chair

President

Patrons

1947 – 1952: HRH The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh

1952 – 2021: HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh KG KT

Life Vice-Presidents

Sir B K Burridge KCB CBE ADC

Mr T M Holloway

Mr K D R Mans

The Rt Hon Baron Tebbit CH

Mr C M H Walkinshaw DL

the board of trustees

The Board of Trustees oversee the efficient and legal running of The Air League Trust in furtherance of its objects and in accordance with its Articles.

New Trustees are identified, selected and appointed by the existing Trustees and they serve for a period of three years and may be re-elected for a further three-year term before standing down. Trustees are unpaid.

ANITA BERNIE

Anita joins the Air League as a Trustee following her appointment as Managing Director of MDA UK, where she is responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the company’s UK business.

She brings extensive experience in space, defence and advanced technology, having previously led Strategy and Execution at Farnborough-based start-up KISPE Space Systems Limited. There, she supported the development of innovative capabilities and the application of space-enabled systems to address complex national and global challenges.

Anita is an Honorary Group Captain in Royal Air Force 601 Squadron, providing expert insight on space matters to Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence personnel.

She serves on the Board of Directors of AAC Clyde Space, a global nanosatellite pioneer delivering Space Data as a Service, missions, products and components, and is also a Board Member of the Institute of Directors, which holds a Royal Charter to support and set standards for business leadership across the UK.

Anita holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA. She is a committed advocate for STEM education and mentoring, actively supporting outreach initiatives for young people from early years through to early-career professionals.

pAUL EVERITT

Paul currently chair’s the board of the Aerospace Technology Institute and was previously chief executive and chairman of Farnborough International Ltd. During his career he has championed UK manufacturing and helped promote strong partnerships between industry and Government.

nIGEL lOWE mba

Nigel joins the Air League having successfully worked across the consulting industry for the past 25 years. He is an experienced global Transformation and Change Management Leader who has specialised in providing innovative solutions to complex largescale Digital, IT, HR, Finance, Procurement and Talent related transformation programmes across a number of sectors. He currently leads a key Defence Account for PA Consulting.

Nigel previously led the Digital, People and Change team for Cognizant Consulting in Europe along with the Global People and Change Lead for Wipro Consulting. He also worked for a big4 consulting company along with HP and Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in his earlier career.

Prior to his consulting experience, he worked across Government where he delivered critical front line services, private pensions policy and internal consulting for DWP, while working in collaboration with adjacent departments such as the Inland Revenue, Serious Fraud office, DVLA etc.

He has developed his knowledge of the Royal Air Force, Aerospace and Defence sectors through years of delivering exceptional consulting client value across a number of critical programmes.

Nigel possesses an MBA with distinction and is active in the Aerospace skills development area and consulting mentoring programmes for new joiners to the industry.

Air COMMODOre Al Lewis

Air Commodore Al Lewis joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 as a graduate entrant and has since had an illustrious career spanning engineering, leadership, and talent management roles. Early postings included RAF Kinloss, RAF Cosford, and RAF Wyton, where he supported operations and exercises involving Nimrod aircraft, including deployments to the Falkland Islands and the Middle East.

Promoted to Squadron Leader in 2003, Gp Capt Lewis contributed to the Nimrod MRA4 programme and oversaw worldwide operations of the VC10 fleet at RAF Brize Norton. Following roles in talent management and staff appointments, he was promoted to Wing Commander in 2009 and later commanded Engineering and Logistics Wing at RAF Brize Norton, serving as Chief Air Engineer for Air Mobility assets.

In 2015, Gp Capt Lewis transitioned to a Full-Time Reservist role, becoming Commandant RAF Air Cadets in September 2024. His career reflects a dedication to engineering excellence, operational effectiveness, and youth development

Dame Dawn Childs DBE FREng

Dawn is the CEO of Pure Data Centres Group building and operating hyperscale data centres. Before joining Pure she led a multi-billion transformation programme for National Grid across both the gas and electricity transmission businesses. This followed several senior engineering appointments as: the Group Engineering Director for Merlin Entertainments with responsibility for engineering delivery and standards across the worldwide portfolio of theme parks; and the Head of Engineering at Gatwick Airport. She joined Gatwick after 23 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force.

She is a Trustee of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairs the Audit & Risk Committee and a Trustee of the Air League. She was the longest serving President of the Women’s Engineering Society, turning it around over a 5 year tenure, and is currently the Chair of the iMasons People Committee.

She was honoured with a Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in October 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the engineering profession and was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) for services to engineering in the King’s New Years Honours 2023.

Council of the air league

The Council of The Air League is an advisory and consultative body composed of senior leaders within UK aviation, aerospace and defence.

Council has convened since the founding of The Air League in 1909 and works closely alongside the Board of Trustees in supporting The Air League’s strategic aims and objectives. The Council also identifies any matters concerning aviation, aerospace, and defence that The Air League should engage in, support or highlight.

Council members will serve a three-year term and may be invited to serve for a second, consecutive term before standing down.