Society news

Name: Victoria Cope FRAeS, 37

Location: Hampshire, UK.

Job title: Commercial & Category Director, UK Health Security Agency.

What inspired you into aviation? From a young age I was always fascinated with aircraft and how things work – making simple machines out of anything I could find. When an ‘old girl’ returned to my school as a guest speaker and spoke passionately about her job as an aerodynamicist at Ferrari, I decided that a degree in aeronautical engineering and a career as a leader within the aerospace and defence sector would be my vocation of choice. I started on my career journey within technical engineering roles and utilised my transferable skills to add value to the wider enabling functions within the sector, which led me to my career path into commercial and procurement leadership within the sector.

What is the best thing about your current role? I lead the commercial and business development function within the UK Health Security Agency defending and securing the health of UK citizens from infectious disease, chemical, biological, nuclear and radioactive threats. The best thing about my role is the people – leading and developing my fantastic team who are exceptionally dedicated to mitigate and prevent current and future health security challenges that face the UK. My role offers me the unique ability to apply my defence and security background with my commercial knowledge to help the team make the optimal business decisions on behalf of the agency and make a tangible difference to the lives of the people of the UK.

What made you join the Royal Aeronautical Society? I joined the Royal Aeronautical Society a number years ago during my MEng Degree in Aeronautical Engineering to build my knowledge, experience and network with like-minded individuals to help me achieve my career and life aspirations. Membership of the Society helped me to complete my degree through the Centennial Scholarship Fund, develop a fantastic network of friends and colleagues and achieve my life goals, including Chartered Engineer status, career progression to senior roles and most recently Fellowship of Society.

What do you hope to get out of your membership with the RAeS? As a newly appointed Fellow, I hope to be able to use Fellowship as an opportunity to further give back to the Royal Aero community. The Society has offerings for members at all career stages, functions and domains across the sector and provides the opportunity to share and develop collective insights and ‘give back’ through various thought leadership forums and personal development schemes, such as Alta mentoring programme. As an active member of the Society in the D&I, sustainability and careers space, I look forward to growing my involvement in these activities further to help shape the future for the next generation within the sector.

What three items would you take with you to the space station? A notebook to record my thoughts, feeling and reflections from the experience, a camera to capture the once-in-alifetime view and a gin and tonic to savour the moment!

What’s your favourite aircraft? The SR-71 Blackbird remains my all-time favourite aircraft by the fact of its stealth and supersonic capability, pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved by aircraft of its time. Even today, the SR-71 still looks and feels futuristic with its reduced radar cross section, materials and turbojet engines. I had the pleasure of touching one in the Air and Space Museum at Dulles on occasion but still seeking the elusive opportunity to sit in the cockpit!

Who is your biggest inspiration? I have been lucky enough to have had a number of fantastic role models throughout my career who have inspired me to raise the bar in my field and take the next steps in my career. My daily inspiration, however, is my four-year-old daughter – who inspires me every morning to be the best person I can be and fulfil my full potential as a person, parent, leader and crown servant and help shape the future for the next generation.

Piece of advice for someone looking to enter your field? Careers don’t run in straight lines – take every opportunity provided to you if it offers you the critical experiences and skills required to help you achieve your career goals and your full potential. The best decisions you make are the ones you make with your gut and that push you out of your comfort zone. Those out of comfort zone experiences are the ones that you will learn the most from, regardless of the outcome. Position yourself to maximise success, surrounding yourself with the right people around you at work and at home who can mentor and support you to succeed.