Assistant Director - Corporate Communications
“Whatever level you are and whatever field you work in, your voice and opinions will be heard.”
Assistant Director – Corporate Communications - Jonathan Nicholson
“We’re a regulator – so we’re never going to please everyone!” Corporate communications guru Jonathan Nicholson believes in straight-talking.
He joined us in aircraft registration some 20 years ago. “My Dad was an air traffic controller, and I was mad about aviation,” he says. “My other passion was journalism. But there I was selling TVs! The CAA took me on even though aviation was just my hobby – I’ve been extremely lucky to be able to gain so much experience since then. Twenty years of development!
“Having helped out at small airfields, I’d seen the negative perception of the CAA. Private owners can feel that it’s just interfering with their hobby. But once I joined I soon realised the vital importance of air safety and why the regulations are put in place. It’s also a great way to be part of aviation without getting involved in the rollercoaster ride of the airlines and the commercial side of the business.”
Jonathan’s no-nonsense approach is essential in his day-to-day role. “First of all I need to gather together all the press cuttings and see if any of the coverage of the CAA is factually incorrect – if it is, I have to act immediately. We also have to deal with 200-300 media calls a month. You could be talking to the FT or The Sun, to international or specialist trade press, to the TV or radio. I also work on annual reports – from the design aspect to proof-reading – on the internal staff newsletter, on advertising, marketing and PR. I might be organising a photo-shoot to update our image library or helping to write a speech for the Chairman.
“You can’t predict what’s going to happen. A big story or a crisis can see you handling a room packed with press, or prepping colleagues before they go on TV.” But it’s not all fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, as he explains: “I also work on new projects, like the Airspace & Safety Initiative, where I’m working with the Ministry of Defence, looking at ways of tackling safety issues and how best to educate the audience – literature, events, interactive media, posters, coasters…”
It may be part of Jonathan’s job description to speak out, but he says that everyone gets a chance to contribute in their aviation jobs. “No one can work in isolation. We’re all part of a team, with a good atmosphere and a flat structure. Whatever level you are and whatever field you work in, your voice and opinions will be heard. You just have to be ready and willing to listen to all sides of the argument first.”