Global – Skyborne Airline Academy is announcing three senior promotions, designed to support the company’s global growth and long-term pipeline of professional pilots. 

Leadership changes include Vicky Harriss to Group Head of Strategic Planning, William Hulse to Group Head of Sales, and Abigail Hintzen to Group Head of Human Resources (HR), together bringing extensive experience across Skyborne’s training network.

Harriss, who has held senior operational roles over her five years with the academy, will oversee strategic planning across Skyborne’s global operations. She will work closely with teams in both the US and UK to continue aligning Skyborne’s training programs with airline expectations.

Hulse will lead Skyborne’s global retail sales strategy, with a focus on strengthening CRM and sales systems. Working closely with the marketing team, he will drive engagement and provide market insight to support the academy’s growth.

As Group Head of HR, Hintzen will work closely with the executive team to lead Skyborne’s HR strategy across the US, UK, and India. Hintzen joined Skyborne at its Vero Beach base in 2022 and has focused on building a people-first culture, rooted in transparency and continuous improvement.

Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne, says: “Strong leadership is essential as we plan for the next stage in Skyborne’s development. This expanded leadership structure supports our long-term strategy, ensuring we can meet demand while maintaining the high standards we’re known for.

With more than 70 aircraft and simulators in the Group, maintaining training quality and consistency across all locations, is crucial. These appointments ensure our strategic planning, commercial execution, and leadership are aligned globally, allowing Skyborne to continue scaling its operations while surpassing standards at every stage of training.”

Skyborne trains prospective pilots from around the world at its state-of-the-art facilities in Vero Beach, Florida, and Gloucestershire and Bournemouth Airports, in the UK. Its graduates go on to fly for airline partners including British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com, SkyWest, Envoy, Endeavor and IndiGo, plus many other airlines worldwide.

About Skyborne
Skyborne Airline Academy is a premier airline training academy based at Vero Beach, Florida, United States, and Gloucestershire and Bournemouth Airports in the United Kingdom. Established by industry experts, Skyborne brings a fresh approach to airline pilot training.

Founders Tom Misner (chairman) and Lee Woodward (CEO) have unsurpassed experience in commercial aviation, education and training. Their vision has created a training environment where the highest standard of teaching, safety and relevant airline-style training is maintained, and interactive learning is encouraged.

Using a combination of tried and tested methods and the latest technology to assess competence, suitability, aptitude and resilience, Skyborne recruits the very best candidates to minimise additional training, reduce failure rates and provide airlines with better pilots and cabin crew.

Skyborne is proud to hold close relationships with the world’s leading airlines, offering opportunities for trainees as part of Ryanair’s Future Flyer Academy, British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy, Jet2.com’s Jet2FlightPath, the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, and the SkyWest Professional Pilot Pathway. Skyborne is also the only academy to support DHL Air (UK) with a fully funded Integrated ATPL training initiative for its employees.

Source: Skyborne
Photo Credit: Skyborne