Sir STEPHEN DALTON GCB LLD(Hon) DSc(Hon) BSc FRAeS CCMI

Sir Stephen Dalton joined the Royal Air Force in 1976 after graduating with an honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Bath University. His early career was spent as a frontline pilot on the Jaguar and Tornado aircraft and commanded at Squadron, Station and Force Commander level. In July 2009, he was appointed Chief of the Air Staff (Professional Head of The Royal Air Force). After 4 years working at the very top of Defence and steering the Royal Air Force through some of the biggest changes in its history, he retired from the Service in 2013.

Subsequently, Sir Stephen founded his own company and worked with a number of major international companies/organisations (e.g. PA Consulting in Europe and Textron in the USA) advising them on the development of strategy and international engagement. He also worked with a number of Company Boards helping them to improve their collective performance at Board level. From 2014-2017, Sir Stephen worked on the setting up of a “challenger” bank in the UK.

Much of his career has involved the leadership of major change programmes working with professional bodies, major industry partners and overseas organisations and governments.

By command of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Stephen was sworn into office as Lieutenant Governor of Jersey on Monday 13th March 2017 at the start of his 5-year term of office.

In May 2017, Sir Stephen became President of The Royal Aeronautical Society for a one-year fixed term period. The President of the Society provides leadership of the governing Council and of the Society in pursuit of its Objectives. He is currently President or Chair of a number of arts/welfare and cultural charities including ArtHouse Jersey and veterans ‘The Not Forgotten’.

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB) in 2009 and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) in 2012. In 2019, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as Bath, King of Arms of The Order.

Sir Stephen is married with 2 grown up children and a black Labrador.