Sophie O’Sullivan, Vickie Murdie, Anne-Lise Scaillierez & Louisa Smith

About Sophie O’Sullivan, Vickie Murdie, Anne-Lise Scaillierez & Louisa Smith

Sophie O’Sullivan – Future of Flight Programme Director, UK Civil Aviation Authority

Sophie founded the CAA’s RPAS unit in 2018 which has since tripled in size. Sophie now leads the Future, Safety and Innovation team as well as being a permanent member of the CAA Executive Committee in her role as Future Flight Programme Director. Before joining the CAA, Sophie spent a decade in the technology industry working at both Microsoft and IBM in strategy and management roles.

Vickie Murdie - Innovation Lead for UKRI’s Future Flight Challenge

As Innovation Lead for the Future Flight Challenge, Vicki brings multiple sectors including, government, industry, trade bodies and academia together to deliver an ambitious aviation R&D programme for UKRI. Vicki is an aeronautical engineer, having previously held senior engineering and project management positions at Rolls-Royce, delivering cutting edge technology in the Civil Aerospace and Group Engineering divisions.

Anne-Lise Scaillierez – CEO, ARPAS UK

With 25 years of professional experience in Technology and Defence & Aerospace industries, Anne-Lise balances her work as CEO of ARPAS-UK with her commercial projects. She is a qualified remote pilot, her company holding both OA’s and PDRA01 authorisations. Also a partner at The Drone Office, involved in several medical drone delivery projects, advancement of autonomous systems and has experience in BVLOS flight in Europe.

Louisa Smith – Chief Aviation Officer, Apian

As Chief Aviation Officer at Apian, Louisa turns the vision of faster, smarter, greener healthcare into reality by building and assuring products and platforms that connect the healthcare industry with the drone industry, improving patients’ health outcomes and staff well-being. Louisa spent a decade at NATS, previously Head of their R&D division, she is also a former RAF Air Traffic Controller.