Our People
Who We Are.
Meet the Team
Our team offers a combination of technical, commercial, political and project delivery expertise to ensure our clients can make the right decisions on how to address their unique challenges.
Across the team our international deal making experience includes Australia, Papua New Guinea, Pacific Islands, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, South Africa, Egypt, Greece, Brazil, Thailand, USA, Central and Eastern Europe, South Korea, Indonesia, Canada, Libya, Hong Kong, Philippines and Japan.
Chief Executive Officer.
David Robinson
David’s career started within the UK Ministry of Defence within the Air Staff Secretariat and helicopter procurement, after which he worked with operational helicopter companies for five years in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Upon his return to the UK he moved into the UK Defence Industry becoming a Commercial Director, leading teams in commercial business, mergers, acquisitions and divestments. During this time David further specialised in international business winning in Asia Pacific, Europe, the USA and the Middle East. After working with a broad portfolio of capabilities David joined National Air Traffic Services (NATS) where he provided commercial leadership to secure contracts within the Pacific arena to secure air navigation business and help the countries redesign their airspace.
During this time David became Head of Business for Libya securing ATCO training contracts and helping the Libyans realise their ambitions of returning European carriers back to Libya. David led NATS mergers and acquisitions buying a stake in Searidge Technologies (a remote digital towers business where he became General manager) and supported an investment into Aireon. David set up his own consultancy during the summer of 2019 which enabled him to setup Oasisairbridge in May 2021.
Director of Communications.
Jonathan Dart MVO
Jonathan was a senior UK diplomat for 28 years, serving in commercial and political roles in London and in UK Embassies and Consulates across the world. Between 2014 and 2016 he was in London, leading UK Government policy on Libya including work on the NATS project.
He is an MSP-qualified Programme Manager and is comfortable managing highly complex change programmes requiring strategic thinking, multi-stakeholder coordination and an energetic drive to implementation.
Chief Operating Officer.
Chris Dadd
Chris retired from the Army in 2019, in his 16 year career as an infantry officer he spent the majority of time in operations and planning roles, leading groups of up to 180 and managing the activity of up to 1400. During his career Chris deployed on many occasions and has been fortunate to spend time in North America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Since retiring from the Army, Chris has managed a broad range of projects in Defence, Leisure, Security and Technology, working with small and medium sized companies to overcome complexity and coordinate activity.
Special Advisor.
Simon Fovargue MBE
Simon is the founder of ByBrook, a business consultancy providing constructive challenge, strategic guidance and specialist advice to enable high performance and sustainable growth for companies operating in the public sector and mission critical industries.
His previous role was CE of Leidos UK & Europe, an important geography for the Fortune 500 global science, technology and engineering solutions company. The UK & Europe business is a strategic supplier to the UK Government creating smarter technology solutions for customers across diverse market segments including defence, security, public services, energy, transportation and logistics.
Before Leidos, Fovargue was the CEO of the ATLAS Consortium supporting strategic enterprise digital transformation with the UK MOD. He also led the defence business for DXC, a Fortune 500 multinational information technology company, focused on secure mission critical systems and operations. Prior to that Fovargue was the General Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise responsible for their global portfolio of business with BP, a multinational oil and gas company, after a series of roles in Hewlett Packard and Electronic Data Systems, specialising in defence.
Prior to joining Electronic Data Systems in 2006, Fovargue served as an infantry officer in the British Army for 19 years which included extensive operational experience and was awarded the MBE for leadership on operations. He attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the UK Joint Services Command and Staff College.
Account Manager.
Matt Gray
Matt retired from the Army as a Captain in 2011 after 7 years of roles focussing on leadership, management, planning and operational delivery. Since moving on from the Army Matt has worked with the organising committee of the London 2012 Olympics delivering complex solutions during the live phase and he also worked for the Trade and Investment Department for 9 years focusing on transformation, transition, change and delivery programmes which culminated in Directorship of the UK’s presence in Dubai during the World Expo in 2021. Matt has been with Oasisairbridge since 2022 assisting existing clients with bid winning.
Account Manager.
Steve Little
Steve has been a Bid and Programme Manager for over 20 years in the defence and security sector, and an army reserve officer for 22 years.
Steve has worked in the defence C4ISR, aviation, warship support and land capability development. He has led border security technology development and mentored and supported overseas government agencies. Steve has been with Oasisairbridge since 2020 assisting existing clients with bid winning and programme delivery
Commercial Director.
Richard Shirley
Richard is a senior Commercial Executive with extensive management and project experience. He has gained considerable experience in preparing and submitting high value complex proposals to major industry and governments, predominantly in the defence sector. Proficient in bid writing techniques with emphasis on presenting accurate and compelling arguments. His expertise has allowed him to operate in a wide range of defence scenarios including space, aerospace and underwater applications. An effective planner and strong negotiator and articulate and confident presenter of ideas and information. An individual of high integrity, innovative and a lateral thinker in identifying and capitalising on new opportunities.
His career has included successful negotiations in both East and Western Europe, the Far East and USA building on cultural awareness with a strong customer focus and adept at developing and building relationships.
Richard holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, a Diploma in Contract Law and is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Senior Associates
James Waddington
James has over 25 years of experience in the Defence Sector. He is the founder and CEO of Otto Colline Ltd, a specialist management consultancy providing strategic and operational expertise.
James was the Chief Operating Officer for Leidos UK and Europe leaving in October 2024. During his 18 years at Leidos he held a number of roles including the acting Managing Director for the National Security and Defence Division, the UK Defence Portfolio Director and Special Projects Director.
James holds a Certificate in Company Directorship from the Institute of Directors and was a Company Director of Leidos Ltd in Cambridge from 2013 until 2018, when legal entities were merged. He served on the Alumni Advisory Board for Imperial College Business School from 2015 to 2017. He is a STEM Ambassador sharing knowledge and experience of STEM in the community.
James has an MBA in Management from Imperial College, London; an MSc in Computing Science from Birkbeck College, University of London and a BA (Hons) in Law and Psychology from De Montfort University.
Christian Cullinane
Christian is an accomplished strategic commercial executive with significant business winning experience. A graduate of the Advanced Management Programme with a law degree and industry commercial and negotiation training, he has spent his career as a lead commercial operator for pre and post contract engagements in technologically complex arenas such as telecommunications, IT, defence and aerospace.
Over a 29-year career he has lived in Europe, the United States and Saudi Arabia working independently and as a deal making leader of pursuit teams world-wide. He has held MD and Group Commercial Director roles in AIM listed businesses as well as Performance and Commercial Director roles in L3 and QinetiQ.
Ewan Kelbie
Ewan left the Royal Navy in 2006 after a successful career of 22 years, which included flying Sea Harriers operationally and commanding a Type 23 frigate, along with senior staff appointments. He started in his business career in military aviation business development before broadening his portfolio of experience into service delivery and P&L ownership of a busy MOD account at NATS, the UK’s primary air traffic control delivery organisation. He has contributed fully to all aspects of business winning, as well as account strategy, customer relationship development, programme delivery and governance.