Sir Alan has a strong background in maritime operations, maritime aviation, search and rescue, risk management, and safety regulation. In a 33-year career in the UK Royal Navy he commanded two aircraft carriers in combat operations and served for 5 years on the Navy and Admiralty Boards. His final RN appointment was as Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command. Sir Alan then spent 8 years as Chief Executive officer of the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, where he modernised the UK's Coastguard service, introduced a new fleet of 22 SAR helicopters and overhauled the MCA's regulatory regime. He holds a number of non-executive leadership and consultancy positions, along with several charitable trusteeships.
Steve studied Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath before joining the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot specialising in Anti-Submarine and Search and Rescue roles. Upon leaving the Royal Navy Steve gained significant experience flying in support of Oil and Gas and civilian SAR operations over the North Sea and Irish Sea, operating the S61 and S92 helicopters. Steve founded Developing Assets (UK) Ltd, HeliOperations' parent company, in 2007.
Jock spent over 38 years in the Royal Navy, the majority of which was as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm. He has wide experience in the military having held five command posts, including ship, squadron and air station, whilst also having served in several Headquarters, including the Ministry of Defence as the First Sea Lord's aviation advisor. His aviation credentials come from the delivery and oversight of flight from operational, safety and regulatory positions, under-pinned with a deep knowledge of risk management and programme delivery. Jock has an MA from King's College London, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and a Freeman of the City of London. He is currently the Chief Executive of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust and, as Managing Director of Naval Aviation Limited, is a CAA Accountable Manager. Jock joined the Board of HeliOperations as a Non-Executive Director in May 2018.
Keith Devaney is Chief Operating Officer at HeliOperations, bringing more than 20 years of aviation experience spanning frontline Search and Rescue (SAR), operational management and executive leadership. Keith began his aviation career with the Irish Air Corps as a Rescue Crewman before joining CHC as a Rescue Winchman. He subsequently progressed through a range of senior operational and management roles across the UK and Ireland, including Base Manager, Business Unit Leader and Technical Crew Manager, with responsibility for SAR operations, standards, people and operational delivery. Keith joined HeliOperations as Director of Operations in 2023 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in April 2026. As COO, he oversees the company’s day-to-day operational performance and works closely with the executive team to support strategic growth, operational excellence and regulatory compliance. He brings a practical, safety-focused leadership approach built on extensive experience of complex and safety-critical aviation operations.
Paul studied Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and worked in South Africa for 25 years in the heavy-engineering sector covering power generation, mining, oil refineries and offshore projects. He served as a director of a number of South African companies including Murray & Roberts Engineering, Genrec Engineering and Gray Security Services. He is now based in the United Kingdom and where he is involved in risk-management, education and training in Africa; and various other engineering projects.
A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and Masters graduate from both Portsmouth Business School and Westminster University, Dan joined the HeliOperations' Board as Business Development Director in May 2020. Dan enjoyed a 38-year career in the Royal Navy, 15-years of which were spent abroad in a wide-range of defence appointments, including with the German, Iraq and Pakistan Ministries of Defence. Dan's final military appointment was spent in Berlin as the Deputy Defence Attaché to Germany. Since leaving the Royal Navy, Dan has developed an independent consultancy serving the aviation and security sectors, he serves as a Member of Council for the Chartered Institute of Linguists and brings a wealth of operational, diplomatic and commercial experience to the HeliOperations' Board.