ABOUT US
Changing lives by expanding access to aviation and aerospace education while supporting a greener, more sustainable future
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
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
supporting our industries
Key people
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
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
Balaji Srimoolanathan
Balaji Srimoolanathan is the Managing Director at Hill & Spear, an advisory firm helping businesses identify, evaluate and execute growth opportunities – organically and through M&A. He is also a Non-Executive Director and Group Strategy Advisor for Broadway Group and Senior Vice President for Strategy and Business Development for Sigma Advanced Systems.
Balaji brings more than two decades of experience across aerospace, defence and advanced engineering, combining deep sector knowledge with expertise in market intelligence, strategy, policy and industry development. Prior to Hill & Spear, Balaji was Director of Aerospace at ADS, the UK trade association representing more than 2,000 businesses across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. He led the aerospace portfolio, including industry strategy, policy development, government engagement, member services, international trade and major industry events.
Balaji also served as Programme Director of the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP), the strategic partnership between the UK Government, industry and other key stakeholders focused on securing the long-term competitiveness and growth of the UK aerospace sector. Previously, Balaji was a Strategy Leader at the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), where he led market and supply-chain capabilities and contributed to the development of the ATI’s first technology strategy and accelerator programme.
Earlier in his career, Balaji held senior consulting roles with IHS Jane’s and Frost & Sullivan, advising Fortune 500 companies, global aerospace and defence businesses and governments on markets, strategy and growth. He has also held engineering roles at Cyient and began his career as an aircraft engineer. Balaji is an Aircraft Engineer and holds a Master of Business Administration in Aviation Management from RMIT University, Australia.
Charles Wadsworth
Charles Wadsworth is a senior Finance professional with over a decade of experience working in aviation at British Airways. An experienced leader of teams who has supported a wide-ranging cross-section of the business including the Commercial, Engineering and Operations teams. Charles currently leads the Commercial Finance team as part of BA’s Finance and Commercial Leadership teams. Charles has also been the Trustee Treasurer of the BA Benevolent Fund since 2020, supporting current and former BA colleagues in financial need.
lorraine Harper
Lorraine Harper is a senior finance professional who has held roles at EVP and Board level in global corporates, with a focus on the telecommunications industry. Lorraine has experience of both listed and private, entrepreneur-led businesses and is able to navigate the financial strategy, controls and risks at each end of that spectrum. She has over 25 years of experience and deep knowledge, having been responsible for capital raising, refinancings, audit, group financial reporting, and tax and treasury functions. Lorraine holds a dual Honours Degree from Keele University LLB Law and Languages and is also a qualified UK Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, having trained and qualified at KPMG.
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.
Council members
Baroness Garden of Frognall
Dr B Humphreys
Mr C Tarry
Prof I Poll OBE FREng FCGI Hon FAIAA FRAeS
Mr J Goodsir CBE
Ms V Cope FRAeS
Mr J Steel KC
Mr J Towell
Mr J Counsell
Lord Davies of Gower
Mr N Goodwyn
Mr P Fernandes
Mr R Piper
Mr S A Pendry FRAeS
Sir G Howarth
Sir R Bone
Mr S J Fitz-Gerald