Aviation Industry Skills Board

Driving the quality of aviation apprenticeships and aligning other workplace skills and vocational education activities through one strategic, employer-led board.

The Aviation Industry Skills Board (AISB) was formed in 2007 as part of a joint collaborative working partnership for the aviation sector. 

Members of the AISB work collectively to drive the quality of apprenticeships, ensuring they remain fit for purpose, but also have a wider interest to align other workplace skills and vocational education activities in the UK.

Critically, the board brings together employers from airlines, airports, and ground handling agents alongside other stakeholders, trade associations and the Department of Transport (DFT)  to act with ‘one voice’.

Facilitated by People 1st, the board operates a number of important sub groups which are critical to achieve its objectives. Bringing the groups together under one board helps align the variety of skills related activities undertaken in the sector.

Members of the board

Members, carefully selected for their combined expertise and passion in skills and apprenticeships, each play a significant role in helping to ensure we have a planned and coordinated approach to skills, which can only be achieved through a genuine partnership between employers, delivery partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Employer members

• Peter Gardner (Chair), Apprenticeship & Talent Development Manager UK&I, Menzies Aviation

• Charlotte Booton (Vice Chair), Apprenticeship & Early Careers Manager, Easyjet

• Ryan Winnett, Programme Manager (AGP), Aerospace Growth Partnership

• Nichola Hay, AELP representative, Association of Employment and Learning Providers

• Ricky Leaves, Apprenticeship Quality Assurer, British Airways

• Kiera Mellotte, Policy Adviser, Aviation Skills & Diversity, Department for Transport

• Sarah Leonard, Head of Aviation Skills, Aviation Directorate, Department for Transport

• Kirsty Clifford, Talent Manager, Easyjet

• Poorvi Patel , Head of Education, Employment and Skills, Heathrow Airport

• Roger Gault, Pilot Consultant, Honourable Company of  Air Pilots

• Karima Khandler, Industry Expert, Independent

• Karen Hewitt. Industry Expert, Independent

• Katie Rankin , Early Careers & Future Talent Specialist, Jet2

• Brian Leslie-Willetts, Learning & Development Manager, Manchester Airport

• Alec Newby, Accredition Centre Manager, RAF

• Roz Azouzi, Head of Skills & Careers, Royal Aeronautical Society

• Julie Whittle, Employee Development Manager, Swissport

• Kirsty Stonnell, Quality & Compliance Apprenticeship Specialist, TUI

• Rebecca Wakelin, Early Talent & Apprenticeships Manager, TUI

• Suzi George, Apprenticeships & Professional Development Manager, Virgin Atlantic