Warren East appointed Chair of NATS Board

UK air traffic services provider, NATS, announces the appointment of Warren East as non-executive Chair of the Board. He takes up his position on 1 September and succeeds Dr Paul Golby, who has served in the role for the last 10 years.

Warren East

Mr East served as CEO of Rolls-Royce between 2015 and 2022 and prior to this, spent almost 20 years with ARM Holdings, the British microprocessor manufacturing, design and software company, including 12 years as CEO. He is currently a non-executive director for Tokamak Energy, C-Capture and ASML Holding and a strategic advisor to Avina Clean Hydrogen. He has previously served as a non-executive director with Dyson, Micron, BT Group, Rolls-Royce and De La Rue.

Mr East said “Aviation is vital to our society and economy, and the essential infrastructure which NATS provides underpins that important function. The next decade or so brings huge challenge alongside multiple possibilities as the sector faces the necessity of the energy transition together with the opportunities presented by advancing technology. I’m delighted to be joining NATS to work with the board and the NATS team as we navigate through this exciting and crucial period.”

Chief Executive Officer, Martin Rolfe said: “We very much look forward to working with Warren. His knowledge and insight into the aviation sector, the role of critical UK infrastructure and the experience he has of technology-led transformation will be enormously valuable.”

Dr Golby joined the NATS board and was appointed Chair in October 2014. During his tenure, the company has made significant progress in the modernisation of both its technology and the design and operation of UK airspace, laying the foundation for much needed improvements in carbon emissions from aviation. Notably, he helped ensure air traffic services continued at all times during Covid-19 and a subsequent return to financial stability in the years since.

Dr Golby said “It has been a privilege to serve as Chair through some of the most difficult times that NATS and the aviation sector as a whole have been through.  I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone across the company – it is through their tireless efforts that the UK has one of the very best air traffic services in the world.”

Mr Rolfe continued: “Paul brought a blend of challenge and stability that the entire company has appreciated enormously. His leadership of the board and strategic guidance has helped us tackle the extraordinary challenges of the pandemic and subsequent rebuilding of the sector. We have a lot to thank him for and wish him well in the future.”