Meet The Team
Our team consists of skilled aviation professionals united by expertise, innovation and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable flight training with a lasting impact.
Andrew Perkins
Chief Executive Officer
Andy has a lifetime of experience in aviation. Over 12000 hrs in commercial jets, 3500 hrs in gliders and light aircraft. A current training captain for a major airline, he has been involved in all areas of aviation for several decades, including gliding, general and commercial aviation.
He is the current Life Vice-President of the British Gliding Association, having previously served as Chair, as well as a Trustee of The Air League Trust and the Philip Wills Memorial Fund.
Andy co created TurnPoint Ltd, parent company of EmPower Flight, in 2016 with a mission to help others achieve their full potential. This has involved extensive work with universities to develop their aviation programmes, Human Factors training for multinational companies and skills and aptitude development for aviation companies.
Having worked at grassroots level, within charitable aviation and at the heart of commercial aviation, Andy is driven to help others achieve their goals, regardless of their background.
David McGrath
Chief Operating Officer
CAA Accountable Manager
David has over 30 years of senior international executive experience spanning strategy, new ventures, and emerging technologies. As a passionate aviator from a young age, David is a powered/glider pilot, flight instructor, and examiner. This passion and commitment to aviation and safety is demonstrated by his role as the Vice Chairman of the British Gliding Association. Additionally, he serves on the Board of an AI Data Governance and Observability organisation, keeping him at the forefront of technological innovation.
His unique blend of senior leadership, deep business knowledge, and hands-on aviation experience empowers our organisation to continue to innovate and lead the pilot and cabin crew training industry.
Rachel Gardner-Poole OBE
Chief Sustainability and Growth Officer
CAA Approved Compliance & Monitoring Manager
Rachel has extensive experience in the aviation, science, and technology sectors holding senior roles at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the UK Space Agency, and Connected Places Catapult.
She has led several transformation programmes and previously chaired the UK Jet Zero Council Zero Emission Flight Delivery Group. She is now a Board Advisor for Astroscale UK, a space sustainability company and Chairs the Green Aviation Insights Steering Group on behalf of NATS.
As a Chartered Mathematician and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Rachel successfully completed an integrated ATPL course and serves on the Board of the world’s largest humanitarian airline charity. She was awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for services to aviation.
Simon Tranter
Chief Learning Officer and Head of Training
Simon brings a wealth of aviation training expertise to our team. With a distinguished 17-year career in the Royal Air Force, Simon flew the Tornado GR1 and Hawk T1 in leadership roles serving as both a trainer and senior officer. Transitioning to civil aviation, he flew executive jets before joining British Airways.
Over 25 years at BA, Simon flew long-haul and short-haul routes, spending his final 17 years as a B737 and A320 training captain. During this time he held joint responsibility in the business for the leadership and CAA compliance of human factors and non-technical training within the Flight Operations Dept.
A committed general aviation pilot with a total of 18,000 flight hours, Simon is a very experienced and highly skilled pilot training manager, facilitator, and instructor.
Richard Garner
Chief Technology Officer
CAA Safety Manager
Richard has spent the last 30 years working in the aviation industry, and has extensive experience in flight and non-technical skills training. He has worked for a number of airlines and organisations as a pilot, trainer, skills assessor and company director.
He is a current Airline Training Captain flying the Airbus at a major UK carrier, and is actively involved in training the next generation of airline pilots.
Amir Said
Director
Amir began his career outside aviation, working in law and data technology, where he played a key role in introducing tech skills to executives across FTSE 100 companies. He has since brought that experience into aviation, contributing to training and business development, while also operating a fixed-base Boeing 737 simulator.
Awarded two scholarships by The Air League, Amir achieved his Private Pilot Licence and has supported initiatives helping inner-city students take their first steps in aviation. Combining a passion for flying with a strong background in technology, he is currently training to join a major UK airline.
© 2025 EmPower Flight Ltd.
Registered in England and Wales at 337 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, England, BH8 8BT
Company Number 15906621
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© 2025 EmPower Flight Ltd.
Registered in England and Wales at 337 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, England, BH8 8BT
Company Number 15906621
View our Privacy & Cookie Policy.
