Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE

Rachel Gardner Poole OBE is a leading aviation, sustainability and transformation expert whose career has placed her at the forefront of shaping the future of flight. Known for chairing the Jet Zero Council’s Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group and for co-founding EmPower Flight, Rachel is one of the UK’s most influential voices on sustainable aviation. As a female motivational speaker, she inspires audiences with powerful insights into leadership, innovation, systems thinking and delivering transformational change in complex industries. She is an outstanding choice for conferences, leadership forums, STEM events and organisations navigating change, where her practical experience and optimistic vision encourage audiences to embrace innovation with confidence.

Rachel began her career as a mathematician with the Defence Research Agency before progressing through increasingly senior technical and leadership roles at DERA and QinetiQ. She later worked in strategy and transformation at IBM and led major programmes at the UK Home Office before joining the Civil Aviation Authority, where she managed large-scale transformation projects and ultimately became Head of General Aviation. This diverse career gives Rachel a unique perspective on problem-solving, resilience and leading change across highly regulated environments.

Building on this foundation, Rachel has held a series of nationally significant leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of Connected Places Catapult, Director on secondment at the UK Space Agency and Chair of the Jet Zero Council’s Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group. Today she serves as Chief Sustainability and Growth Officer at EmPower Flight alongside an extensive portfolio of advisory and board appointments across aviation, aerospace and sustainability, bringing audiences first-hand insight into the future of transport and innovation.

Awarded an OBE for aviation services, Rachel is recognised as one of the sector’s foremost strategic leaders. Her appointments with Heathrow, NATS, the British Aviation Group, Astroscale, Aviation for Good and other influential organisations reflect the trust placed in her expertise and her ability to drive meaningful change across complex industries. As a female motivational speaker, Rachel inspires audiences by sharing the leadership lessons, resilience and determination behind her career, encouraging individuals to embrace innovation, challenge convention and pursue ambitious goals with confidence.