Rachel Gardner Poole OBE

Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE is a pioneering aviation and sustainability leader who is transforming how the aviation industry contributes to global wellbeing. As co-founder and Chair of Aviation for Good, she has helped demonstrate the vital role aviation can play in delivering life-saving medical supplies and humanitarian relief to communities inaccessible by conventional transport. Combining extensive executive and non-executive leadership experience with expertise in governance, strategy and organisational transformation, Rachel has become a leading advocate for responsible innovation, sustainable growth and purpose-driven leadership. Her unique perspective makes her a highly regarded speaker on sustainability, leadership and the future of aviation.

Rachel’s passion for aviation began in childhood, inspiring her to pursue a degree in mathematics before launching her career as a Higher Scientific Officer at the Defence Research Agency, where she contributed to the systems design of Britain’s nuclear submarines. She later moved into Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft testing, making history as the first woman to spend 36 hours aboard a British nuclear submarine before qualifying as a commercial pilot. Building on this technical foundation, Rachel progressed through senior leadership roles at QinetiQ, IBM, the UK Home Office and the Civil Aviation Authority, where she became Head of General Aviation. She later served as Director of the UK Space Agency before becoming Chief Operating Officer at Connected Places Catapult, further developing her expertise in leading people, innovation and large-scale organisational change. Today, she is a Director of Aviascia, co-founder and Chief Sustainability and Growth Officer of EmPower Flight, and continues to lead Aviation for Good as its Chair.

Beyond her executive career, Rachel has advised and supported organisations across the aviation, infrastructure and charitable sectors. She has held board and consultancy roles with Projects Delivering Hope and NATS, while her current appointments include the Heathrow Stakeholder Group, Astroscale, the British Aviation Group and Form1 Partners. A Chartered Mathematician and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Rachel has received widespread recognition for her contributions, including the AeroTime Aviation Achievement Award and an OBE for services to aviation. She has also shared her expertise through interviews and features with the BBC, AeroTime and Business Airport International.

Rachel’s keynote presentations challenge audiences to rethink the relationship between sustainability, innovation and leadership. Drawing on her experience across aviation, government, engineering and charitable initiatives, she demonstrates how organisations can balance commercial success with meaningful social and environmental impact. Her engaging and practical presentations explore collaboration, culture change, resilience and navigating complex challenges, leaving audiences inspired to embrace sustainable thinking, lead with confidence and create positive change within their own organisations and industries.