Air Vice-Marshal (Retd) Sean Bell FRAeS CDir BSc,
Sean Bell’s first career was in the Royal Air Force where he served for nearly 3 decades before pursuing the next chapter of his professional life with a portfolio career.
Sean could fly before he could drive – selected for a Flying Scholarship when still at school, Sean secured his Private Pilot’s Licence several weeks before he could drive, which has forever mystified his Mum! This early experience of solo flying proved addictive, with RAF sponsorship through University (Imperial College, London) leading to being selected for pilot training at RAF Cranwell.
Having completed flying courses on Jet Provost Mk5A and Hawk jet trainers, Sean served as an instructor at RAF Cranwell before completing the Tactical Weapons Training course at RAF Chivenor and being selected to fly the Harrier fighter jet.
On completion of the Harrier Operational Conversion Unit Sean flew Harrier fighter jets from land and sea and eventually commanded the oldest Squadron in the RAF – Number 1 (Fighter) Squadron based at RAF Wittering. Sean also commanded Joint Force Harrier – the inaugural initiative to combine RAF and Royal Navy Harriers at RAF Cottesmore. During his service career Sean deployed on numerous operations over Bosnia, Sarajevo, Kosovo and Iraq, and completed 3 tours (nearly 2 years) service in Afghanistan during the UK’s 2 decade-long conflict in the region.
Sean also served in a number of staff appointments in procurement and in the Ministry of Defence, culminating in being appointed the Head of Capability (Theatre Airspace) with responsibility for a multi-£Bn budget including Typhoon fighter jet capability. Sean left the RAF in late 2012 in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.
Since leaving the Service Sean has pursued a portfolio career. This has included providing defence consultancy services to national and international clients, being Exec and Non-Exec chairman of small defence enterprises and also being a keynote speaker at a number of defence events in support of Team UK. Sean also retains some security clearances in his (unpaid) role as a Talking Head for the UK Ministry of Defence, and since 2022 Sean has been providing military analysis for a wide range of national and international media organisations – including SKY News and BBC - in their coverage of the increasing array of global conflicts. Sean is also the founder of RedMatrix media – a small digital enterprise - and is co-host of the Air and Space Power Association podcast “The High Ground”.
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