Christopher Coville

Professor Sir Christopher Coville is a Visiting Professor at the Freeman Air and Space Institute within the School of Security Studies (Department of War Studies). A retired Air Marshal, he served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) from 1964, including roles as an operational pilot, squadron commander, and senior NATO/UK MOD official. Post-military, he held leadership positions in aerospace firms like Westland Helicopters and Dell/EMC, focusing on cyber security advocacy. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Chartered Institute of Personal Development.

Education includes RAF College Cranwell (1967), Open University (Politics/Sociology/Economics, 1975), and Royal College of Defence Studies (1989). Research interests span security policy, conflict dynamics, and modern deterrence, with recent work on cyber threats and escalation management. He advises major defense companies (Leonardo Helicopters, SecureCloud Plus) and chairs UK defense-related institutions. Engaged in public service, he leads national charities like the National Coastwatch Institution and rural advocacy groups.

His advisory roles include Special Advisor to Leonardo Helicopters and Senior Defence Advisor to SecureCloud Plus. He lectures globally on 21st-century challenges and chairs high-level defense strategy groups. Former roles include Chairman of the British Helicopter Association (2013–2017) and Forces Pension Society (until 2014).