Livery welcomes new members at Summer Court

Elected Members Sworn as Freemen

Freeman Hugo Cowley

Hugo lives in Honiton, Devon. He attended Exeter College and Kingston University completing a Foundation Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. This was then followed by a period at the Flybe Training Academy achieving eight EASA Pt66 Maintenance Licence Modules. Hugo now works with Navy Wings returning its Hawker Sea Fury Fb11to flying condition a fantastic project, which has included major services and inspections along with landing gear removal and overhaul. The Centaurus 18 engine has been replaced by a P&W R2800. As if that is not impressive enough, Hugo has also been involved in restoring a Swordfish Mk2. Prior to this he was an aeronautical engineer at Flymoore Aircraft Engineering, developing a wide skill set there including mentoring apprentices. This work was completed for private customers as well as providing maintenance to the local flying school. He previously worked in the planning team at Leonardo Helicopters, responsible for creating and maintaining top-level build plans for all aircraft lines, and much else. Hugo was a recipient of the Coachmakers’ Captain Eric Brown Scholarship in April this year, and says his career has ‘come on leaps and bounds’ since then. He is a keen Private Pilot with a strong passion for aviation – an ideal person to welcome into membership of the Livery.

Freeman Geoffrey Dudley

Geoffrey and his partner Marie live in West Horndon in Essex. He has been a professional harness maker since 1978 producing harness for many notable professionals. In 2019 Geoffrey was presented with the Coachmakers’ coaching award for his contribution to the coach harness making industry. He sponsors junior carriage drivers on a charitable basis, and is involved in carriage restoration and collecting. Geoffrey would like to join like-minded individuals in the Livery and share his knowledge to keep long standing traditions alive. It sounds like the Livery is an appropriate move for Geoffrey, and he is very welcome.

Freeman Carl Elston

Carl lives with his wife Nicola in Stratford Upon Avon and works as Executive Director – Quality at Lotus Cars. Prior to that, he had quality roles in Aston Martin and Toyota. He has a passion for automotive and says the biggest change in the industry for a generation is under way with electric vehicles. Lotus is a company sponsor of armed forces veterans and Carl is involved with this as well as having links with Misson Motorsport, a great charity which is keen to support to, “help those who have kept us safe”. Carl says he waited 18 months after joining Lotus to apply for Livery membership and he wants to understand how the Livery can help youngsters of the future. He makes a valid point that the UK automotive sector needs governmental support to prevent risk of further shrinkage. He looks forward to meeting new and interesting people in the Livery with similar interests. You’ve come to the right place, Carl.

Freeman Professor Adrian Furnham

Adrian lives with his wife Alison in Islington, London. He has an MSc Econ (LSE), DPhil (Oxon) and a DSc (Lond). He is currently a Professor at BI: Norwegian Business School and prior to that, was Professor at UCL. Adrian is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society an author of 100 books and has been in Who’s Who for 25 years. He is a Commander of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. Interestingly, Adrian says that “work is more fun than fun”. He was born in South Africa and holds seven degrees. He enjoys travel and the theatre and writes 1,000 words per day. He has previously been a columnist for the FT, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. He looks forward to being part of the Livery and raising money for charity and no doubt will be a valuable Liveryman.

Freeman Katherine Keogh

Katherine (known as Kat) lives in Bristol and has a partner, Jack Taberer. She attended Coventry University (Bachelors) and Cranfield University (Masters). Kat qualified with a Bachelors of Engineering in Aerospace and a MSc in Aerospace Dynamics. She is currently a Graduate Systems Engineer at Leonardo and was previously an Industrial Placement Systems Engineer at the same company. Throughout her time at university, she has been an active member of many societies including the aerospace society and the ice-skating society. Kat is a Student Member of RAeS and has a membership of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). Previous charitable activities include tutoring in maths, science and English, being a STEM Ambassador and a volunteer at RIAT. Kat is a previous winner of the Fredrick Handley Page Award and continues to assist the aerospace awards sub-committee since receiving the award. She would like to become more involved with such charitable award activities and STEM activity in the future.

Freeman James Wormell

James lives in Bristol and is a Solicitor at Co-Op Legal. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 2008. Prior to this he was Deputy Editor of Air Cargo Week before becoming a Trainee Solicitor. Graeme attended Leicester University and the British Institute of Legal Practice in Bristol. He now specialises in injury law and is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. An interest in meditation and psychotherapy has made him train to be a psychotherapist. An interest in psychology has drawn James to train further and he is about to set up a private practice. He admits to being a reasonable golfer and enjoys an annual trip to Scotland during warmer weather. Graeme enjoys walking, of what he describes as the unspoilt kind in the UK as well as Portugal and the US. He has also trekked in the Himalayas, the American Rockies and the Japanese Alps. He assists in running the Prince Arthur Cup, an annual golf competition for liverymen and has met many liverymen through the competition and so he feels it would be appropriate to join the livery. He feels the aims and charitable works of the Coachmakers are admirable.

Freeman Air Commodore Patrick O’Donnell CBE

Patrick lives in Wendover, Buckinghamshire and is a Royal Air Force Reserve Officer – Air Commodore and a Councillor of Wendover Parish. He has several qualifications including an MBA (Defence) and MSc in Military Science. Patrick has a long career in the RAF starting back in 1983 as an Avionics Engineer to RAF Commandant RAF Central Training School. After that he was RAF Ministry of Defence lead for UK policy for the Arabian Gulf before being appointed RAF Defence Attaché in Qatar and RAF Defence Attaché for Saudi Arabia. Patrick is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, President of the RAF Education & Training Officers Association and VP of the RAF Boxing Association. Now that he has stepped back from full-time employment, he is keen to dedicate more time to community and charitable pursuits. After being introduced to the Coachmakers, Patrick was impressed by the Livery’s ambition to support young people to enter the aerospace and automotive sectors. He looks forward to the opportunity membership brings to engage with people of similar interests to his own.

Elected Member Clothed as Liveryman

Liveryman Air Commodore Edward Cole MBE

Air Commodore Edward Cole MBE lives in Hook, Hampshire with his wife Janet. After attending Kings College London and Said Business School, he achieved an MA (Defence Studies), PG Dip (Logistics), and studied at the Major Project Leadership Academy. Edward is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. He has held various posts within the Royal Air Force for the majority of his career. He has a rich history of achievements, one of which was securing a large amount of funding as part of the Spending Review Settlement for Defence to recover the neglect of logistics and engineering during the period engaged in Afghanistan and Iraq. That merely scratches the surface of his achievements. Throughout his career, Edward has participated in charitable activities, largely in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund, RAFA and the Royal British Legion. His interests include military history, motorsport, being a member of the Goodwood Road Racing Club and skiing. He now feels he has the time to give something back; and welcomes an opportunity to do so with like-minded people such as those in the Livery.