Mike Wigston Keynote Speaker

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston was Chief of the Air Staff from 2019-2023, the 4-star commander and head of the Royal Air Force. As principal air and space advisor to the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff, he was one of the youngest ever to hold the role.

Sir Mike spent over 37 years in the Royal Air Force. He began his career as a fast jet pilot, and has served around the world, including multiple operational tours in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Sir Mike is transformational and modernising in outlook. As Chief, he empowered innovation at every level, and advocated for the adoption of new technologies like space systems, uncrewed aircraft, swarming drones, and AI. He conceived and established UK Space Command in 2021 and was a leading member of the seven-nation Combined Space Operations initiative. He maintained a network of over 50 global air and space chiefs, and led the way with the Global Air Forces Climate Change Initiative which now has over 45 air forces committed to becoming carbon neutral.

Sir Mike shaped the Royal Air Force to be more inclusive than it has ever been, creating opportunities and talent pathways for all. He was a Patron of the Women in Defence Charter, and a prominent champion of equality of opportunity across the UK Armed Forces.

Above all, Sir Mike ensured the Royal Air Force was always ready to respond in an increasingly challenging and unpredictable world. In his time as Chief, the Royal Air Force was more engaged and busier than at any time in a generation: protecting the UK’s skies and space; the air evacuations from Kabul and Sudan; the continuing fight against violent extremists in Iraq and Syria; bolstering NATO, and supporting Ukraine, in the face of Russian aggression.