Speakers

Air Commodore Thompson joined the RAF in 1997 as a Weapons Technician, commissioning in 2003 as a Communications Electronics Engineering Officer. His career spans Air Defence, Cyber, Air Land Integration, and Intelligence roles, with operational experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Levant. Early assignments included managing deployable Air Defence Radars and Air C2 systems with No. 1 Air Control Centre and serving as an Operations Officer on exchange with the Royal Signals. He later commanded 2 (Field Communications) Squadron, Tactical Communications Wing, supporting global operations.

Employed on wider Defence activity, he has held senior appointments in PJHQ, MOD, and across Government, including Deputy Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Staff, focusing on Defence Engagement, NATO, and UN portfolios. He has also served on exchange with the US Department of Defence and been seconded to several UK Partner Agencies. A graduate of the Canadian Forces Joint Command & Staff Program, his academic focus was Women, Peace & Security.

As a 1* Commander, he led RAF Global Enablement, overseeing six forces and 8,000 personnel, and previously commanded the RAF Regiment and RAF Police as FP Force Commander. In December 2024, he was appointed Deputy Commander of UK Space Command.

Air Commodore Thompson is President of RAF Field Gun and the RAF eSports Association, Director of RAF Community Rugby Union, and a Trustee of the RAF Rugby Union Charity. A champion of diversity, he leads the RAF Diversity Allies initiative.