What degrees have you studied and where?
- BSc Maritime Business at Warsash Maritime School, Solent University
- MSc Aviation Safety Risk Management and Regulation at Cranfield University
- Level 7 Professional Safety Apprenticeship, assessed by the Royal Aeronautical Society.
How did you get into the air traffic control industry?
I didn't set out with a lifelong ambition to work in air traffic control; like much of my career, I found my way here by following what genuinely interested me.
While studying for my BSc, I attended a talk by an accident inspector from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), which inspired my final‑year thesis on 'no‑blame safety culture'. That experience sparked a passion for safety and human factors, which led me to apply for a role at the MAIB, where I worked for two years.
I joined NATS through the safety graduate scheme as an apprentice, which ultimately led me into the aviation industry. The programme enabled me to develop as a safety professional while working in aviation and studying for a Masters degree.
What are your main duties as a service introduction manager?
My role focuses on planning and safely introducing new hardware, software, or systems into a 24/7 air traffic control operation.
I'm responsible for coordinating the testing and implementation of these changes, ensuring they are introduced in a controlled and well‑managed way.
A key part of my job is planning for contingencies, anticipating what could go wrong, and putting robust reversion plans in place so that, if needed, we can safely step back without impacting the operation. Throughout the process, the priority is maintaining operational resilience and ensuring that service to air traffic controllers and the wider operation is not disrupted.
How relevant are your qualifications to your current role?
At first glance, my maritime business degree may not seem directly relevant to my role, and it isn't in a technical sense. However, it was an essential stepping stone on my journey and played a key part in getting me to where I am now.
Through that degree, I gained a strong understanding of:
- organisational culture
- safety‑critical operations
- the transport industry as a whole.
There is significant overlap between maritime and aviation in terms of systems thinking, regulation, risk management, and safety culture, all of which are highly transferable.
My MSc, on the other hand, is highly relevant and directly applicable. Safety underpins everything we do at NATS, and my postgraduate studies and safety qualifications are integral to my current role. They shape how I approach change, risk, and decision‑making in a complex, 24/7 operational environment, ensuring that safety is always at the forefront.
What are the top three skills you need to be successful in this job?
- Strong communication is essential to ensure everyone is aligned before, during, and after work in a live operational environment.
- Effective stakeholder management is critical for engaging the right people, understanding impacts, and keeping confidence in the change.
- Courage is key; there are times when you must stop work if safety could be compromised, even when that decision is difficult or involves more senior colleagues.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
It's being involved in both sides of the business. I work closely with project teams introducing new equipment and airspace changes, while also being embedded on the operational side for planning.
Acting as the bridge between the project and operational worlds is rewarding, as it helps ensure changes are delivered safely and effectively.
What have been the biggest challenges?
One of the main challenges is joining projects in later stages and quickly building a detailed understanding of new systems and how they interact with others. As a service introduction manager, you're often a 'jack of all trades', required to rapidly gain enough depth to make safe decisions about how systems are introduced into and removed from the live operation, which can be complex and demanding in a safety‑critical environment.
How have you managed your neurodiversity in your career?
I've always been open about my dyslexia, as I believe openness helps people better understand how I work and where I may need support. Rather than trying to hide the things I find challenging, I've found it far more effective to be honest and focus on my strengths.
Being open allows me to work in a way that plays to what I'm good at, while putting simple strategies in place for the areas I struggle with.
Did you receive any support or request any specific adjustments while at university or in jobs you've held?
At university, I received formal support for my dyslexia, including recorded lectures so I could revisit content and additional exam time, which made a real difference.
Alongside this, I've also learned to implement my own adjustments both at university and in the workplace. For example, I often:
- ask for important information or instructions to be put in writing
- record key conversations so I can refer back to them
- use a range of digital tools to help manage my workload.
Tools such as Microsoft To Do, reminders, and Copilot support my organisation and planning, allowing me to work effectively and play to my strong points.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
One of the standout moments has been winning the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year and Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices.
Receiving this award was incredibly meaningful, as it recognised both my technical contribution and my non‑traditional route into engineering through an apprenticeship. It was a real moment of validation and reinforced the value of alternative pathways into engineering, particularly for young women and those who don't follow a conventional academic route.
Can you debunk any myths in the UK aviation industry?
You often hear that 'you need a very specific, traditional degree to work in aviation'. The reality is that the UK's aviation industry is full of people who came in through apprenticeships, graduate schemes, and career-change routes from other transport and safety-critical industries. Transferable skills matter just as much as subject titles, especially in safety, systems, and operational roles.
What advice would you give to others interested in an air traffic control and aviation career?
- Learn about air traffic control and the wider aviation system. Air traffic control is a fascinating career that many people aren't aware of. Every flight you've ever been on has relied on air traffic controllers and aviation professionals behind the scenes to operate safely and efficiently. Taking the time to understand how the system works can open your eyes to a range of rewarding careers beyond what you might initially expect.
- Explore graduate schemes and apprenticeships. Graduate schemes are a great way to join an organisation and gain exposure to different roles, teams, and disciplines before deciding where you want to specialise. Apprenticeships are another excellent route into aviation, offering the chance to earn, learn, and gain real‑world experience while developing academically. Both routes provide strong foundations and open doors across the industry.
- Don't feel pressured to have everything planned out. Careers in aviation don't have to be linear. Staying curious, being open to opportunities, and playing to your strengths can lead to roles you may never have considered at the outset. Some of the most interesting careers are built by following what genuinely interests you and pushing open doors when they appear.
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