Head of Personnel Licensing

Head of Personnel Licensing - Ben Alcot

I was at BMW Rolls Royce before I joined the CAA, working on engine certification.  I had already had dealings with the CAA, liked what I saw and wanted to get into the regulatory side of the aviation industry.

I joined ten years ago as a design surveyor and now I manage a large, multi-disciplined team in a completely different area – proving that it’s possible to transport skills to other parts of the organisation.

There are 85 people in my team, covering a range of disciplines. 30,000 exams are carried out each year - we have a team that approves training, both for engineers and pilots and another looking after flight exams for pilots. To oversee all aviation jobs, I have to ensure I’m up-to-date on a whole range of issues and projects – and of course that I’ve managed the welfare and development of my team.

It’s always exciting starting new projects. We’re currently modernising the exam process, changing it from paper-based to online.  

There is also major change happening within the European aviation industry in relation to the rule for licensing of pilots - a huge project which needs to go live by 2012.  Part of my job is to review comments and views and consider how to implement these changes into the licensing in the UK.

The CAA really values its staff. We retain great people by looking after them, and we do our best to offer a great rewards package too. It’s a hard-working environment, but fascinating – and fun. There’s a good team spirit. You just need to be energetic and flexible - willing to listen and learn, to bring your own expertise here and adapt it to fit in. There are always opportunities to learn new things – you just need to grab them.

As Head of Personnel Licensing , I’ve had an incredible journey from where I started to where I am now – but it’s the backing I’ve received, combined with the chance to gain experience in other areas of the business, that has allowed me to get where I am today.