Rachel Gardner Poole OBE

Rachel Gardner Poole OBE is one of the UK’s leading voices on diversity, equity and inclusion, recognised for demonstrating how inclusive leadership drives innovation, collaboration and organisational success. With an outstanding career spanning aviation, aerospace, government and sustainability, Rachel has held some of the sector’s most influential leadership positions, including Co-Founder and Chair of Aviation for Good, Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability and Growth Officer at EmPower Flight, and Chair of the Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group for the Jet Zero Council. Throughout her career, Rachel has championed greater representation across STEM industries, creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds while leading organisations through significant transformation. As a Diversity & Inclusion keynote speaker, she inspires audiences to embrace inclusive leadership, unlock the potential of diverse teams and build cultures where innovation and people can thrive together.

Rachel’s passion for aviation began in childhood, leading her to study mathematics before beginning her career as a Higher Scientific Officer at the Defence Research Agency, where she contributed to the systems design of Britain’s nuclear submarines. She later moved into Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft testing, becoming the first woman to spend 36 hours aboard a British nuclear submarine, before qualifying as a commercial pilot. Rachel went on to build an exceptional leadership career across QinetiQ, IBM, the UK Home Office and the Civil Aviation Authority, where she became Head of General Aviation. She later served as Director at the UK Space Agency and Chief Operating Officer at Connected Places Catapult, developing a reputation for bringing together government, industry, academia and charities to solve complex challenges. Her ability to unite people with different perspectives has become one of the defining characteristics of her leadership and underpins the practical advice she shares with audiences on inclusive workplaces and organisational culture.

Rachel’s contribution to aviation has been recognised with an OBE for services to aviation, reflecting decades of leadership and influence across the sector. Alongside her executive roles, she has held a wide range of prestigious board and advisory positions, including Chair of Heathrow’s Stakeholder Group, Chair of the GAIN Steering Group, Board Advisor to Astroscale, Board Member of the British Aviation Group and MAF International, Sustainable Aviation Consultant at NATS, Director at Aviascia and Advisor to Form1 Partners. These appointments demonstrate the trust placed in Rachel to lead collaborative initiatives that shape the future of transport while encouraging greater diversity of thought, experience and talent throughout the industry.

As a Diversity & Inclusion keynote speaker, Rachel delivers engaging, practical and thought-provoking presentations that equip organisations to create lasting cultural change. Drawing on first-hand experience of leading transformation across highly technical and traditionally underrepresented sectors, she explains how inclusive leadership strengthens decision making, accelerates innovation and enables organisations to respond more effectively to complex challenges. Rachel shares practical strategies for attracting and retaining diverse talent, creating psychologically safe workplaces and developing leaders who empower every individual to contribute. Combining strategic insight with authentic personal experiences, she leaves audiences with actionable ideas and renewed confidence to build more inclusive, collaborative and future-ready organisations.