Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE, Aviascia
Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE
Director
Aviascia

Rachel brings a whole-systems perspective to judging, shaped by experience delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programmes across regulated infrastructure environments. She is particularly focused on demonstrable impact, environmental performance, and the translation of strategy into measurable outcomes. She values engineering excellence combined with innovation that is scalable, resilient and commercially credible. Rachel is especially interested in projects that show strong collaboration, long-term sustainability, and clear evidence of delivering real-world benefits for communities and the environment.

Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE FRAeS is a recognised leader in sustainable aviation, transformation and innovation. She has led major cross-sector programmes, including chairing a UK Government Jet Zero Council Delivery Group, translating national decarbonisation ambition into practical delivery.

She is Director of Aviascia and holds a portfolio of senior roles including Chair of the Green Aviation Insights Steering Group for NATS, Board member of the British Aviation Group, Board Advisor to Astroscale, and Chief Sustainability & Growth Officer at EmPower Flight. She also serves as Chair of Aviation for Good, supporting humanitarian aviation initiatives.

A Chartered Mathematician who previously held a Commercial Pilot Licence, Rachel was awarded an OBE for services to aviation.