With the Royal Air Force engaged in recent operations in Libya and still supporting the nation-building efforts in Afghanistan, the Guest of Honour for this year’s Royal Aeronautical Society Annual Banquet on 18 May, in London, could not be more timely. The invitee - Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant, Commander-in-Chief Air Command, RAF, is head of Air Command, the operational tip of the RAF’s spear.

At the Annual Banquet he will give a speech and is expected to talk outlining the RAF’s vital role, its current operations and the challenges it faces going forward – giving guests a unique insight into the modern air force.

Every year, as one of the aerospace sectors’ key social and networking events, the RAeS Annual Banquet attracts the highest calibre of influential VIPs to speak frankly to guests and has become a must-attend highlight for many in the industry.

Last year, for instance, the distinguished speaker was Tom Burbage, Executive Vice President and head of the F-35 programme at Lockheed Martin, who gave an overview of the JSF stealth fighter project, including video footage of its impressive sensor suite being tested.

The Annual Banquet is also important in that it marks the handover from one RAeS President to another – and the start of a new Presidential year. This year will see outgoing President Air Vice Marshal David Couzens step down in place of  incoming President Mr Lee Balthazor, who will host the Banquet.

The Annual Banquet attracts some 400-500 VIP guests, drawn from all sectors of the aerospace industry, services and aviation and this year will be held at the InterContinental London Park Lane (immediately adjacent to the RAeS). A Pre-dinner drinks reception will be held at the Society’s headquarters at No4 Hamilton Place.

Individual tickets and corporate table bookings are now available, with discounts for RAeS Members and Corporate Partners.

For more details contact Gail Ward, Events Manager – Corporate & Society,  +44 (0)1491 629 912 or [email protected]

Have you got your ticket yet for this must-attend aerospace social and networking event?

Guest of Honour Biography
Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant
KCB CBE ADC MA BA CDir FCIPD RAF
Commander-in-Chief Air Command

Air Chief Marshal Sir Simon Bryant was commissioned in 1974 under the university cadetship scheme and graduated from Nottingham University in 1977 with a BA in Geography.  Following Fast Jet navigator training he completed 2 tours on F-4 (Phantom) squadrons in the air defence role. He then undertook an exchange tour as an instructor in the air defence and reconnaissance roles, with the United States Navy flying the F-14 (Tomcat).  His squadron executive tour was at RAF Leeming, where he flew Tornado F3s, and this was followed by a tour in the Air Secretary’s Department, where he was responsible for the career management of fast jet squadron leaders.  He graduated from the Royal Air Force Staff College Bracknell in 1992, completing an MA in Defence Studies the following year whilst in a Force Development appointment in the Ministry of Defence.  He deployed to the Combined Air Operations Centre Vicenza in 1996 as a senior ops officer before assuming command of 43(F) Squadron, flying Tornado F3s from RAF Leuchars.  In September 1999 he was appointed as the Personal Staff Officer to the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.  This was followed by a deployment as Commander British Forces Oman and Officer Commanding the British Deployed Operating Bases at Seeb and Thumrait, after which he attended the Joint Services Higher Command and Staff Course.  He subsequently served as Air Officer Scotland and Station Commander RAF Leuchars. This tour was followed by an operational deployment to Qatar, where he was Director of the Combined Air Operations Centre at Al Udeid, after which he returned to the Ministry of Defence as the Director of Joint Capability.  In May 2006 he was appointed as Air Secretary and Chief of Staff Personnel responsible for personnel management, the development and implementation of personnel and Reserves policy and the RAF Sports Board.  In Apr 2009, he was promoted to Air Marshal and appointed Deputy Commander-in-Chief Personnel and to the Air Force Board as the Air Member for Personnel.  His responsibilities included the oversight of manpower and training in the Service.  He was promoted to Air Chief Marshal and assumed his current appointment in May 2010.  As Commander-In-Chief, he is responsible for generating air power, developing capabilities and achieving precise campaign effects across the spectrum of operations, whenever and wherever they are required.

Sir Simon enjoys most sports with golf, real tennis, skiing, hockey and squash particular favourites.  He is married to Helen and they have two children, Alexandra and Benjamin.