From Washing Airplanes To Leading The Royal Aeronautical Society

The Journey of Dave Edwards, the CEO of the Royal Aeronautical Society, has had a breathtaking career. From washing airplanes at 14, Edwards’ passion for aviation has propelled him to the helm of one of the most prestigious aeronautical institutions in the world. Find out how…

How It All Started

“I often get asked by university students and apprentices, ‘What was your career plan?’ I smile because there was no plan other than I loved aviation—that’s how it started!” Edwards recalls with a chuckle. His journey began on the operational side of airlines, working in flying schools and on the ramp after university. He then joined a business jet company, Gama Aviation, where he started planning flights, mostly for the Scottish Air Ambulance. At just 23, he was dispatching aircraft all around the world.

During his 15-year tenure, a period marked by constant change and expansion, Gama Aviation grew from a fleet of five aircraft to 120. “Every single year, it was a different business entirely,” Edwards notes.

Growth & Learning

A pivotal moment in Edwards’ career came in 2009 when he was given the choice between expanding into North America or the Middle East. “I said I wanted North America as I have always wanted to work in the States. But the guy who owned the company just went, ‘I fancy doing America! Do you mind going to the Middle East?’” Edwards landed in Dubai with nothing more than a briefcase and two weeks’ worth of clothing. “It was such an exciting period, such a growth curve and learning experience,” he reflects.

After a stint at Qatar Airways as EVP for the business jet division, he returned to the UK to lead the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Leadership Advice

For those aspiring to leadership positions, Edwards advises seizing opportunities and not dwelling on the “what ifs.” “I regularly say to people here in the UK, if you get an opportunity to work abroad, go for it. It opens your eyes to everything, to multicultural working that you don’t necessarily get in the UK,” he emphasises.

Innovation & Creativity

Innovation and creativity are at the heart of Edwards’ leadership philosophy. “It comes down to the drive and determination of the team you’ve got around you, who get where we’re trying to get to and really want to be part of it as well.” he says. For an institution like the Royal Aeronautical Society, which has been around for 150 years, the focus is on long-term relevance. “Our exit strategy doesn’t exist because we want to continue to be the most relevant learned society in the entire world,” Edwards asserts.

Future Trends

Looking to the future, Edwards is excited about the trends and developments in the aviation industry. “There is so much going on at the moment, from EV to Advanced Mobility. It’s an interesting market that will hopefully attract the next generation of talent as we deal with the challenges associated with sustainability and bringing the industry in line with the Net Zero goals set for 2050,” he explains. Edwards believes that new minds with fresh ways of thinking are vital for the sector’s future. “We need to inspire the next generation to come and help us solve these problems. It’s an exciting transition into new technology.”

This article was written by Simon Betts, Principal Consultant in our Manufacturing and Engineering Practice. For more information on any of the services we offer, please contact Simon.