An air traffic controller

About

What is Gatco?

GATCO is the professional body which represents the professional interests and opinions of those in the UK Air Traffic Management (ATM) profession. Membership is open to civilian Air Traffic Controllers, all military Air Operations Controllers, Flight Information Service Officers and anyone involved in ATM support; including non-operational positions. GATCO members are employed at units from small general aviation airfields, major international airports, military airfields and en-route centres. Members also include UK licensed controllers working abroad and those who have retired from the profession but maintain an interest.

Membership is open to the corporate sector which can benefit from GATCO’s wealth of professional and technical expertise.

GATCO deals with the professional and technical interests of those working in the air traffic management profession – it is not a union and does not deal with employment issues such as terms and conditions.

Run by the Executive Board, GATCO is also supported by other officers and a team of representatives who sit on various key aviation committees.

Our team

Jez Pigden

Executive Board

Jez Pigden

Deputy President and Vice President Finance and Admin

Jez Pigden

Executive Board

Jez Pigden

Deputy President and Vice President Finance and Admin

David Hewitt

Executive Board

David Hewitt

President and Chief Executive Officer

David Hewitt

Executive Board

David Hewitt

President and Chief Executive Officer

Olivia May

Executive Board

Olivia May

Executive Secretary

Olivia May

Executive Board

Olivia May

Executive Secretary

Adam Exley

Executive Board

Adam Exley

Vice President Policy

Adam Exley

Executive Board

Adam Exley

Vice President Policy

Aisha McClement

Executive Board

Aisha McClement

Professional and Legal Manager

Aisha McClement

Executive Board

Aisha McClement

Professional and Legal Manager

Jamie Jones

Executive Board

Jamie Jones

Finance Manager

Jamie Jones

Executive Board

Jamie Jones

Finance Manager

David Johnson

Executive Board

David Johnson

Technical and Operations Manager

David Johnson

Executive Board

David Johnson

Technical and Operations Manager

Kate Chandler - GATCO Logo small

Executive Board

Kate Chandler

Admin Manager

{ item.name }} - GATCO Logo

Executive Board

Kate Chandler

Admin Manager

Laura Whittaker

Executive Board

Laura Whittaker

Communications Manager

Laura Whittaker

Executive Board

Laura Whittaker

Communications Manager

Mark Taylor

Executive Board

Mark Taylor

Immediate Past President

Mark Taylor

Executive Board

Mark Taylor

Immediate Past President

Max Shortley

Max Shortley

Membership Services

Max Shortley

Max Shortley

Membership Services

Luis Barbero

Company Director

Luis Barbero

Luis Barbero

Company Director

Luis Barbero

Chris Stock

Company Director

Chris Stock

Chris Stock

Company Director

Chris Stock

Rob Marshall

Company Director

Rob Marshall

Rob Marshall

Company Director

Rob Marshall

Aviation Organisations

For many years GATCO has provided representatives to serve on other aviation organisation’s committees. It is through these channels that GATCO exerts influence and provides help and advice to the wider aviation community. Further information can be obtained by emailing info@gatco.org. GATCO currently or has previously represented on the following committees:

CAA Airspace Infringement Challenge Group (AICG)

CAA Airspace Infringement Challenge Group (AICG)

All the issues relating to airspace infringement in UK airspace are addressed through this Civil Aviation Authority Challenge Group.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
CAA National Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee (NATMAC)

CAA National Air Traffic Management Advisory Committee (NATMAC)

The CAA’s Director of Airspace Policy (DAP) carries out consultations on aviation legislation changes. To get a wide variety of views the NATMAC provides a panel of representatives from all aspects of aviation who advise DAP on all airspace requirements.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Air Pilots Technical Committee, The Honourable Company of Air Pilots

Air Pilots Technical Committee, The Honourable Company of Air Pilots

The Air Pilots Technical Committee is the focal point for all aviation technical matters within the The Honourable Company of Air Pilots. This Guild sponsors and encourages action and activities designed to ensure that aircraft are piloted and navigated safely by both pilots and navigators.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Air Traffic Services Group (ATS), BALPA

Air Traffic Services Group (ATS), BALPA

The British Airline Pilots Association’s (BALPAS’) ATS group provides detailed comment on Air Traffic Management (ATM), ATC and issues emanating from the UK, European and International regulators, Government and ICAO.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Group (RPAS), BALPA

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Group (RPAS), BALPA

The British Airline Pilots Association’s (BALPAS’) RPAS group continually reviews technology, supports research, assesses potential risks, and works with regulators on new legislation in the RPAS domain to make commercial aviation as safe as possible.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Association of UK Flight Information Service Officers (AUKFISO)

Association of UK Flight Information Service Officers (AUKFISO)

The AUKFISO unites all the Flight Information Service (FIS) units throughout the UK. They deal with the various aspects of the FIS service and work with the CAA on enhancing and developing the service members units provide.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP)

Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP)

The main aim of CHIRP is to contribute to the enhancement of aviation safety in the UK by providing a totally independent and confidential reporting system for all individuals employed in or associated with the aviation industry.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
General Aviation Advisory Board (GAAB)

General Aviation Advisory Board (GAAB)

The General Aviation Advisory Board (GAAB) discusses reports concerning GA pilots relating to incidents where they have made mistakes or errors, but also include reports about other issues such as airspace, aircraft equipment, and procedures.  Reports are also received from Air Traffic Controllers, Engineers, Maintainers and occasionally Ground Handling & Security operatives. 

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
RAeS ATM Specialist Group

RAeS ATM Specialist Group

The ATM Specialist Group exists within RAeS to act as an independent sounding board for government, industry and oversight bodies. The aim is to scrutinise, question, influence and propose ways forward that lead to better regulation, common sense approaches and overall improved outcomes for aviation.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
RAeS Flight Operations Group (FOG)

RAeS Flight Operations Group (FOG)

The FOG of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) represents the views and interests of those involved in all aspects of flight operations with a particular focus on commercial transport. The group includes commercial, private and glider pilots, flight engineers, air traffic controllers, cabin crew and managers.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
RAeS Remotely Piloted and Autonomous Aircraft Systems (RPAAS) Specialist Group

RAeS Remotely Piloted and Autonomous Aircraft Systems (RPAAS) Specialist Group

The RPAAS Group of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) aims to act as focus for all RAeS’ activities on RPAAS and promotes the safe and effective development, production and operation of RPAAS for defence, security and commercial purposes.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
UK Airprox Board

UK Airprox Board

The UK Airprox Board’s primary objective is to enhance air safety in the UK, in particular in respect of lessons to be learned and applied from Airprox occurrences reported within UK airspace. UKAB is sponsored jointly, and funded equally, by the CAA and the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). Members are nominated by civil/military organisations, sitting as experts and not representing any group or organisation.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
UK Flight Safety Committee (UKFSC)

UK Flight Safety Committee (UKFSC)

The UKFSC is a fully representative group of aviation safety professionals committed to further the cause of flight safety. Their meetings are attended by airlines, regulators, experts from most disciplines within the industry and unions to discuss accidents, incidents and safety issues within the aviation industry.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
ICAO Safety Management Panel

ICAO Safety Management Panel

The safety management panel (SMP) undertakes specific studies and develops ICAO provisions for safety management. The work of the Panel concentrates mainly on Annex 19, but also on other documents, such as the Safety Management Manual (SMM).

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Shared Airspace Council

Shared Airspace Council

The Shared Airspace Council was formed to provide a platform at which issues surrounding the safe integration for all airspace users can be considered, discussed and evidenced.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
Future Airspace Strategy Industry Information Group (FASIIG)

Future Airspace Strategy Industry Information Group (FASIIG)

FASIIG, a subgroup of the Future Airspace Strategy (FAS) coordinates the activities required across the aviation sector to develop an efficient UK airspace that has the capacity to meet change in demand for UK airspace, while at the same time balancing the needs of all stakeholders, maintaining the levels of safey and reducing the environmental impact of the aviation sector.

READ MORE + READ LESS -
General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo)

General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo)

GASCo is a charity that works to improve flight safety in all forms of general aviation. It is funded by the contributions of member organisations, pilots, aviation authorities and the public.

Discover more

READ MORE + READ LESS -
BALPA Emerging Technologies Group

BALPA Emerging Technologies Group

BALPA Accident Analysis & Prevention

BALPA Accident Analysis & Prevention

BALPA Environmental Steering Group

BALPA Environmental Steering Group

BALPA Security Group

BALPA Security Group

History

In 1952, a group of far-sighted controllers set about the task of organising a professional body that could safeguard and promote the profession of air traffic control. Their endeavours quickly attracted support and, during 1954, the Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers (GATCO) was officially formed, listing some 278 foundation members. The original principles of GATCO have stood the test of time.

If you want to find out about the history of ATC in the UK, have a look at GATCO’s ATC history website, run by GATCO historian, John Levesley.

Air Traffic Control Officers

Masters & Presidents

Masters

  • 1954 - 1955   C A Robinson
  • 1955 - 1956   G E Lillywhite
  • 1956 - 1957   E Vincent-Miller
  • 1957 - 1958   B F Collins
  • 1958 - 1959   W C Woodruff
  • 1959 - 1960   K I Pearson
  • 1960 - 1962   A Field
  • 1962 - 1963   J Macdonald
  • 1963 - 1964   K B Crosby
  • 1964 - 1965   J N Toseland
  • 1965 - 1966   N Alcock
  • 1966 - 1967   L S Vass
  • 1967 - 1968   P D S Mealing
  • 1968 - 1969   A Field
  • 1969 - 1970   W E J Groves
  • 1970 - 1972   T H Harrison
  • 1972 - 1973   P J Martin
  • 1973 - 1974   E C Dyer
  • 1974 - 1975   T S Johnston
  • 1975 - 1978   L W Curry

Presidents

  • 1978 - 1980   L W Curry
  • 1980 - 1984   R J Timlett
  • 1984 - 1986   E G H Green
  • 1986 - 1990   C J Stock
  • 1990 - 1995   D W F Grace
  • 1995 - 1996   S P Tyas
  • 1998 - 1999   P C Templeman
  • 1999 - 2004   R E J Dawson
  • 2004 - 2007   J M Levesley
  • 2007 - 2010   R Marshall
  • 2010 - 2013   S W Brindley
  • 2013 - 2017   J Ogilvie
  • 2017 - 2021   L Barbero
  • 2021 - 2023   M Taylor
  • 2024 - D Hewitt