“By producing sustainable aviation fuel, at scale, CirculAIRity has the ability to be a significant ‘Force for Good’ for the planet.”

 

Dame Sue Gray

Dame Sue Gray

Chair & Non Executive Director

Key Skills

Building consensus | Stakeholder management | Calm under pressure.

Qualifications, Professional Bodies, and Associations

  • Honorary Doctorate of Science - Cranfield University

  • MSc Aerospace Vehicle Design - Cranfield University

  • Hons Degree Physics and Electronics

  • Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering - FRAEng

  • Fellow of the Institute of Engineering & Technology

  • Lifelong STEM Ambassador

Experience

  • Ministry of Defence

    Re-invigorated the Defence Health & Safety and Environment Committee by simplifying regulation, policy and processes to bring about lasting behavioural and cultural change and ultimately hold the leadership at the very top of MOD to account through an annual assurance review.

  • Defence Equipment and Support

    Rebuilding confidence and credibility in a UAV programme which had Performance, Cost and Time over-runs. Detailed analysis of customer requirements, Industry’s ability to deliver, funding available and improved engagement resulted in success.

  • Royal Air Force

    Delivering engineering, logistic and medical support to operations around the world, in hostile environments, typically under severe time constraints. Ability to lead a team of specialists, to pull together and implement at short notice an effective operational plan.

Career Summary

Sue has worked at the most senior levels within Defence during her career. Since 2010 she had a focus on supporting operations worldwide, procuring next generation combat aircraft, training systems, UAVs and maintenance support.

In-sourcing and re-vitalising the RAF’s Infrastructure strategy and latterly re-engaging and holding to account senior leadership across Defence for Health and Safety and Environmental affairs.

When promoted to Air Marshal in 2019 she became Britain's first ever female three-star officer, thereby the most senior female officer in the British Armed Forces.

After 37 years she retired from the RAF in 2022 and has focused her skills and experience on the provision of clean energy for the future as a NED with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and most recently, Chair of CirculAIRity.

Hobbies and Interests

“My passion is my horses, training and eventing them and generally trying not to fall off!”