Meet the Team

Sharon Nicholson

Chairwoman

Sharon has been an aviation professional involved in the industry since 1976. She started her career as a flight school administrator and an AFISO (NATS), becoming a flight instructor and examiner. As an ATPL and former line training captain, she now provides regulatory oversight for the UK CAA whilst continuing to enjoy instructing each week. As one of our STEM ambassadors, Sharon actively encourages young girls to consider flying as a career choice.

Annabel Cook

Deputy Chair

Annabel gained her PPL in 2001 at Coventry Airport on C152s and PA28s, then undertook her tailwheel differences training in a Chipmunk. She has flown a variety of aircraft, including a Cub seaplane, a Mustang and a Thruster TST MkI. Annabel has a broad interest in aviation and has worked as an air/ground radio operator and FISO, has been a commissioned officer with the Air Training Corps, and writes occasional articles for Flyer. Her most rewarding flight to date was her first P1 trip to Europe, which saw her cover over 2000 miles and land in several different countries.

Catherine Hollywood

Treasurer

Although a trial lesson in 1995 initially sparked her interest in aviation, it wasn’t until 20 years later, after a flight in a Harvard, that Catherine vowed to obtain her pilot’s licence. Flying solo six weeks after starting her training, Catherine obtained her PPL in March 2017. Being inside a plane was not exhilarating enough, so she tried wingwalking and aerobatics too. In 2019 Catherine flew across the Channel for lunch in France. She is currently building her solo hours so she can start training for her commercial licence.

Bronwyn Fraser

Secretary

After a gift trial lesson in a PA28 sparked a passion for aviation, Bronwyn achieved her PPL in Australia in 2014. She moved to the UK in 2015 to work for the CAA and converted to an EASA PPL. She has enjoyed exploring aviation in Europe, including flying across the Channel for lunch in France and exploring the Scottish Highlands from the air, and has also recently taken up gliding. Bronwyn’s favourite flight to date has been piloting the Hudson River VFR corridor in New York.

Claire Hatton

Membership Coordinator/North West Regional Representative

Roisin Meleady-White

Strategic Objective Lead – volunteer platform

Roisin’s love for aviation started when she received a trial flight for her 18th birthday – she was immediately hooked and knew she wanted to fly as a career. She completed her PPL at Sherburn Aero Club and started her ATPL study in 2022. Her passion is following on from pioneering women in flight, attempting to create a fairer aviation landscape for everyone.

Aleksandra Nitecka

Events Coordinator

Aleksandra is a marketer by trade and an aviator at heart. In 2018 she decided to pursue her dream to fly and gained her PPL on a Diamond DA20 Katana at Warsaw Modlin Airport in Poland. Her favourite flight has been to the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. In 2022, Aleksandra moved to the UK and started flying at Goodwood Aerodrome. She joined the BWPA to share her enthusiasm towards making aviation greener, more diverse and welcoming for all.

Working off-committee

Lily Ayres – Volunteer Coordinator
Samantha Blackwell-Heard – Scholarships Coordinator
Heidi Dennis – Partnerships Coordinator
Emmaline Haywood – Advertising & Merchandising Coordinator
Bev Reardon – Volunteer Support
Natasha Rowson – Interim Communications Lead
Steph Smith – Social media (Communications team)/Midlands Regional Representative/Careers
Amy Chau – Essex Regional Representative
Julie Dequaire – Scotland Regional Representative
Allie Dunnington – GAAC Representative/South West Regional Representative
Lara Greggs – North East Regional Representative
Lisa Humphrey – South Regional Representative
Peter Austin – Heritage Working Group
Lesley Runnalls – RIN and GASCo Representative

Dr Stuart E Smith

Patron