Switzerland
I am a global aviation executive with over 26 years’ experience leading safety, operations, and strategic transformation across complex, high-reliability systems. My career spans national and European roles, combining CEO-level accountability, regulatory oversight, and operational leadership with a deep focus on governance, innovation, and performance. Currently, at Skyguide, Switzerland, I lead the ATM/ANS and Technical Assurance teams, delivering world-class compliance and operational assurance in line with European and international regulations. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic oversight, strengthening safety, performance, and resilience across Swiss airspace. Previously, as CEO of AirNav Ireland, I led the strategic split of the Irish Aviation Authority into independent regulator and service provider entities. I oversaw organisational transformation, digital modernisation, and a proactive, data-driven safety culture, maintaining zero major safety incidents. Before that, as CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority, I directed aviation safety regulation across 38 different aviation safety entities including airlines, ansp's and technical organisations, modernised airspace operations, implemented EU-wide safety standards, and deployed digital safety oversight frameworks. European leadership roles, including Chairman of EUROCONTROL’s Air Navigation Services Board and the A6 Alliance, involved coordinating billion-euro ATM modernisation projects, shaping policy, and improving network efficiency and sustainability. I am recognised for calm, people-centred leadership, particularly in complex or high-pressure environments. In addition to executive leadership, I bring extensive experience as a board chair, adviser, and academic contributor, mentoring research and contributing to policy and thought leadership in aviation and high-reliability systems. Areas of Expertise - Executive Leadership & Strategic Transformation - Safety Governance & Risk Oversight - Air Traffic Management & High-Reliability Operations - Organisational Modernisation & Digital Innovation - Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement (National & European) - Crisis Management & Resilience - Policy Development & International Collaboration - Board & Advisory Roles - Academic Research & Thought Leadership
- Lead the ATM/ANS and Technical Assurance teams, ensuring compliance with European and international regulations. - Transform compliance processes and frameworks to deliver world-class performance in safety and operational assurance. - Provide strategic oversight while maintaining hands-on operational and technical expertise, supporting safe and resilient airspace management. - Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on risk, governance, and high-reliability operational assurance.
- Led the national air navigation service provider following the strategic split of the Irish Aviation Authority into regulator and service entity. - Oversaw safe, efficient air traffic management with zero major safety incidents. - Executed a company-wide organisational restructuring, streamlining decision-making and introducing agile practices, improving operational efficiency by 15%. - Directed digital transformation, including automation and AI-driven safety monitoring, reducing delays by 30%. - Built and led a high-performing executive team while cultivating strategic European partnerships.
- Chairman | EUROCONTROL Air Navigation Services Board (2023 – Nov 2024) Oversaw governance, business planning, and network performance for European ATM. - Chairman | A6 Alliance (2022 – Dec 2023) Coordinated €3B ATM modernisation projects, reducing delays and CO₂ emissions, improving efficiency. - Chairman | COOPANS (2020 – 2023) Led €300M industrial partnership modernising European ATM systems. - Chairman | EASA Fatigue Management Group Developed EU-wide guidelines for fatigue risk management in ATM. - Member | ICAO & EASA Advisory Panels Contributed to international aviation safety and regulatory policy development.
Provided strategic oversight and leadership for Europe’s air navigation safety board consisting of all aviation stakeholders - airlines, ansp's, airports and military. Advocated for efficiency and innovation in Eurocontrol business. Led collaborative to harmonise ANSB.
The A6 Alliance, founded by the ANSP members of the SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU), is an inclusive coalition of ANSPs across Europe who are committed to helping modernise the European ATM system. The aim of the A6 Alliance is to identify and synchronise the key capabilities of its members, and deploy them to best effect to deliver customer and network benefits. The A6 Alliance also provides leadership at a European level in critical technical and strategic areas. The A6 Alliance pushes forward the SES ATM Research Programme (SESAR) started by the EU Commission in 2006. The A6 Alliance is part of the SJU which focuses on research and development as well as of the Deployment Manager that focuses on the deployment of common SESAR solutions. The a6 alliance works to support the European Aviation Network and improve the efficiency, safety and predictability of the network across Europe.