Tony is best known as the first marketing director of European low-cost airline easyJet. He joined as its third employee six months prior to the first flight and worked closely with the airline’s founder on developing and launching one of Europe’s best-known travel brands. Tony went on to become marketing director of easyGroup where he helped develop and launch new businesses under the easy brand. He later became retail marketing director of internet bank Egg owned by Prudential. Tony has also held commercial roles at brands including British Airways and Thomas Cook. Since 2017 Tony has been a consultant and advisor to easyGroup and easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and is a lecturer at Imperial College Business School.
Jean-Michel has over 30 years’ experience helping finance leading European technology companies, particularly in the deep tech sector (hardware, AI and cybersecurity). Example of companies he has been involved with include: Aldebaran Robotics, the developer of consumer robot NAO (sold to Softbank), Playgiga, a pioneer in mobile-based online gaming (sold to Meta); or Sentryo, a leader in cybersecurity for industrial assets (sold to Cisco). He currently is the Chair of inbolt (robot guidance) and on the Board of SiPearl (semiconductors for high-performance computing and AI). He is also the Chair of the Investment Committee of family office Triple B. In addition, Jean-Michel is the President of the NextGen Computing group for EIC Scaling Club, an acceleration programme funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, Europe’s largest investor in deeptech technology. Before that, he was the European Head of Technology Investment Banking at UBS. In 2015 co-founded Silverpeak, the technology investment banking boutique where he served as a Managing Partner and then Senior Advisor until 2024. Jean-Michel holds an MBA from Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales (ESSEC) business school in Paris and is fluent in English and French.
Gary Waterfall retired from The Royal Air Force after 34 years’ service in 2019. As a pilot, he served the majority of his flying career with the Harrier Force, but also flew with The Red Arrows for three seasons. His last flying appointment was in command of Joint Force Harrier Force and Royal Air Force Cottesmore, where he led the iconic aircraft into retirement on 15th December 2010. In higher command, he was the Air Commander of the UK air contribution to Op ELLAMY (UK involvement in the NATO led campaign in Libya), was the deputy commander of Air Security for the 2012 Olympic Games, and was the first Typhoon Force Commander, before promotion to Air Vice Marshal. On promotion, he was selected as Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, responsible for the training, generation and sustainment of the RAF’s Combat Air, ISTAR and Air Command and Control; this included serving as the National Air Defence Commander, responsible for the security and integrity of UK airspace. His last role was as the Chief of Staff (Operations) at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters, responsible for the planning and execution of UK Joint global operations. On leaving the Royal Air Force, he set up and continues to run his own Company, Pegasus Potential Ltd, advising and mentoring across the Aerospace, Defence and Leadership sectors. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant to the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire in March 2020, is President of 2248 (Rutland) Air Training Corps, Chair of The Red Arrows Trust, and an Ambassador for The Royal Air Forces Association.
Stuart Witt, founder and owner of S.O. Witt and Associates LLC consulting. The former CEO and General Manager of the Mojave Air & Space Port, where he directed the region’s expansion efforts from April 2002 to Jan 2016. A 52 year aviation professional with extensive experience in operational, research and developmental test flying, engineering and aviation management and Executive leadership. In 2004, Mojave was designated the nation’s first inland spaceport when it played host to the world as Scaled Composites qualified and won the $10M Ansari X PRIZE giving birth to the commercial manned spaceflight industry. Stuart is a co-founding executive member of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. Additionally, Stuart is a past Trustee and board chairman on the Kern Community College Board. Stuart remains active as a member of the Administration’s Space Council/Users Advisory Group as an “Industry Representative of commercial space” and Utility Grade renewable energy development projects as the sole proprietor of a strategic consulting firm.
