2025 Shortlisted Nominee
Positive Role Model Award: LGBT
Rob is Head of Architecture & Integration for the A350 and A380 landing gear at Airbus UK, with over 20 years in aerospace engineering. More than his technical work, Rob is proud of driving cultural change to make Airbus safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ employees. Growing up under Section 28, he remained closeted for years in an industry with little LGBTQ+ visibility. In 2017, Rob came out at work by contacting Airbus’s Inclusion & Diversity team, sparking the creation of Pride@Airbus, the company’s first LGBTQ+ network. Since then, he has helped grow the network globally across eight countries, influenced senior leadership, and supported adoption of the UN LGBTQ+ Business Standards. Rob’s advocacy led to trans-inclusive healthcare and a perfect HRC score in the US. He shares his story to inspire openness, belonging, and pride across the aerospace sector.