Aviation Ambassadors Group
The Aviation Ambassadors Group works with the Department for Transport to help deliver a skilled, diverse and sustainable aviation workforce fit to seize the opportunities of the future.
Terms of reference
The Aviation Ambassador Group is made up of 10 volunteers. They act as role models to raise the profile of the aviation sector, deliver enhanced outreach activities, and promote career pathways with the following groups, among others:
- the Department for Transport (DfT)
- the aviation sector
- the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
- educational institutions
- charities and non-profit organisations
The group helps meet the goals of the Generation Aviation programme. This programme sees the UK government, industry and others, including the aviation ambassadors, work to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future, attract diverse and talented people and prepare for new technologies.
Our aviation ambassadors play an important role in inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals, championing the sector and acting as role models for prospective aviation workers from all backgrounds.
The Aviation Ambassador Group has 3 main objectives, which are outlined below.
Raising the profile of the aviation industry
Inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals, championing the sector and acting as role models for prospective aviation workers from all backgrounds.
Using social media and communication platforms to improve the visibility of all opportunities in the sector, including by showcasing the wide variety of roles that are on offer in the aviation sector, such as those that are less understood or are overlooked.
Outreach programmes
Developing and delivering bespoke outreach activities to young people and underrepresented or marginalised groups. This will include attending events designed to educate, inspire and engage young people who would not otherwise pursue opportunities available within the aviation sector.
Industry expertise
Utilising sector experience and professional networks to support the achievement of the Generation Aviation programme objectives. This will include identifying current skills gaps, opportunities to futureproof the aviation workforce and ways to enhance the resilience and diversity of UK aviation.
2026 to 2027 aviation ambassadors
The Aviation Ambassadors Group is made up of 10 volunteers.
Emma Garnham
Emma is Training & Compliance Director for a major Ground Handler and has 25 years experience in airport operations.
Emma is already involved in outreach with young people through the DHL Foundation and Go Teach and has contributed to the work of Aviation Services UK, the Kings Trust, the CAA Ground Handling forum and several DfT initiatives including the Accessibility Task and Finishing group.
Emma is an experienced public speaker who is passionate about showcasing aviation opportunities beyond cabin crew and the flight deck. Ground Handling is labour intensive sector and it’s workforce represents a large proportion of staff in airports- raising it’s profile as a varied and fulfilling career choice is an opportunity to increase the resilience of the whole aviation ecosystem.
Abdullah Bin Sajid Butt
Abdullah is a Customer Operations Coordinator at Jet2, managing disruption across the UK and Europe. He previously worked for a ground handler, specialising in the customer experience.
Abdullah is passionate about learning and development and is completing a teaching qualification. His BSc dissertation examined the challenges ethnic minorities face in career progression- recognised with an award from the university chancellor- while his MSc dissertation focused on digitalisation in air transport and its potential to make the industry more sustainable while improving the customer experience.
Abdullah has experience delivering lectures and presentations through his academic endeavours, and acted as a brand ambassador for Emirates, supporting the airline from the UK while COP28 was hosted in UAE.
Ross Priday
Ross is CEO of a business delivering human performance training and safety risk advisory services to the aviation industry around the world. Prior to this, Ross served as Chief Engineer for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team- the Red Arrows.
Ross is passionate about making aviation accessible and relevant to everyone both in the air and on the ground. He has extensive outreach experience from delivering aviation themed competitions in local schools and giving presentations onboard cruise ships as an enrichment speaker, to speaking at the African Aviation Summit in Rwanda on how Africa could attract young women from all walks of life to become professionals in aviation.
Ross started his aviation career in the RAF with minimal qualifications at the age of 18 and his success and breadth of expertise bridges the gap between aviation and aerospace careers.
Sigourney Ansah
Sigourney is an aspiring commercial pilot who is about to embark on her journey as a cadet pilot, to obtain her full license having previously worked in head office roles for both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Sigourney dedicates time to helping other future aviators, having volunteered with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets to help young people build the skills they need to achieve their aspirations in aviation. Sigourney also volunteers for the ‘Elevate(Her)’, which aims to increase female representation in aviation careers.
As an incoming black female cadet pilot, Sigourney visibly undermines the idea that being a pilot is inaccessible to women and people of colour. As an Aviation Ambassador alongside undertaking her pilot training Sigourney has a unique opportunity to inspire others through showcasing her journey from start to finish and emerge as a role model in practice, not just in theory
Sam Higgins
Sam is a student outreach manager for British Airways, designing and delivering outreach activities for young people, managing colleague volunteering and engaging with over 70,000 students annually. Sam has also served as cabin crew and engineering support within the airline.
Sam has extensive experience of working not only with students directly but also with partner organisations such as the King’s Trust, Fantasy Wings and the Air League, and is particularly keen on promoting engineering careers to women.
Having overcome several barriers to access the industry through her talent and determination, Sam role models success to inspire people from low social mobility backgrounds to dream big and show that aviation isn’t reserved for the privileged.
Ken Eckersall
Ken is the director of KenEck Ltd, delivering aviation outreach to schools, colleges and communities through FlightDeck PC — a platform that uses fixed and portable flight simulators to bring aviation careers to life for young people.
Ken began his aviation career as a crewing officer and senior cabin crew for a major UK airline before his passion for education led him to make a late career change into education, progressing to become a Deputy Head of School at a local Further Education College. His experience across both aviation and education enables him to design hands-on activities that capture the imagination of young people and inspire them to explore STEM and aviation pathways.
Ken is committed to widening access to aviation through immersive digital technologies. He is developing innovative training experiences using simulation, including with drone operations and emerging areas such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL).
David Gardner
David is an experienced aviation fire fighter at Luton Airport, holding the role of watch commander and medical lead for the airport’s first responder scheme.
David delivers a variety of outreach including arranging for female pilots from the airport to attend local schools to help dispel myths about historic gender stereotypes, organising visits from external groups to promote the firefighter role and giving fire and medical training sessions to local schools and scouting groups
David’s ‘hands-on’ and practical outreach delivery is an exciting and memorable experience for young people, showcasing a role that many young people may not know exists in airports, and encouraging them to explore other less visible aviation careers
Lauren Turner
Lauren is Operations Director of East Midlands Airport and is responsible for overseeing the entire airport operation. Lauren was originally a Travel & Tourism student which led to her first job as an airport security officer and has progressed internally ever since.
Lauren’s career journey has been self-led, and she recognises how valuable greater support and guidance would have been. Lauren champions apprenticeships, mentoring and skills development, and is keen to create a more inclusive and supported pathway for future aviation professionals.
Lauren’s day-to-day work brings her into contact with the entire spectrum of aviation stakeholders, presenting opportunities for varied outreach involving Airfield Operations, Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Air Traffic Control, and Manchester Airports Group (MAG’s) growing Aviation Colleges
Miguel Cabrera Vivas
Miguel is both a former Heathrow Airport service recovery programme manager and internal progression lead, supporting colleagues into development and progression opportunities.
However, Miguel’s work today is driven by his role as founder of ‘The Aviation Mentor’, where he combines social media and face-to-face outreach to promote aviation as an accessible career choice, believing that aviation careers should be achievable for people from all backgrounds.
Miguel regularly travels across the UK delivering workshops and speaking at organisations such as Fantasy Wings, universities and a range of aviation industry partners. He has also collaborated with previous Aviation Ambassadors and Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund winners, supporting efforts to strengthen the future aviation workforce.
Marcus Sellars
Marcus works for Tees Valley Combined Authority and is based at Teesside International Airport. His role is to deliver automation and digital transport integration across the airfield and drive forward the airport’s plan to establish a dedicated aviation academy.
Marcus recently graduated with a Distinction in Transport Engineering from Newcastle University, supported by a prestigious Rees Jeffreys Road Fund scholarship. His academic research contributed to the evolving landscape of future mobility and aviation technology, and he continues to champion innovation across regional transport systems.
Marcus’ success and drive at the start of his aviation career make him inspirational to young people, especially in an area of England where the airport is a key driver of regional growth with many innovative initiatives taking place.
Further information
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