Commodore Steve Bolton

Steve Bolton joined the Royal Navy following an engineering apprenticeship in the aviation industry. He is currently serving in Navy Command HQ as Deputy Director Aviation Programmes and Futures, responsible for overseeing Maritime Aviation Transformation, alongside his role as Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the programmes that will enable the future Fleet Air Arm under a Hybrid Air Wing construct.

Over the past 37 years, Steve has accumulated 4600 flying hours and 1850 deck landings as a maritime helicopter pilot, spread across 7 Squadrons/units (826 NAS, 819 NAS, 814 NAS, 702 NAS, 705 NAS, 815 NAS, Air Station Miami), and four main aircraft types (Sea King HAS 5/6, Lynx HMA 3/8, Dolphin HH-65, Squirrel HT1). He has deployed on operations around the world in a variety of warships, auxiliaries and on exchange with the US Coast Guard. A qualified AntiSubmarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Unit Warfare, Search and Rescue and Maritime Counter Terrorism pilot, he is also a Qualified Helicopter Instructor.

Steve has held command, leadership, and management positions in a range of Defence tasks that include basic and operational flying training, military workforce planning and capability delivery. Prior to his current assignment he was an SRO and Programme Director in HQ Air Command, responsible for delivering a range of programmes to include CBRN, Aircrew Systems, Hawk Capability Sustainment and the UK Military Flying Training System.

An alumnus of Kings College London and Said Business School (Oxford), he has an MA in Defence and International Studies and is a graduate of the Major Programmes Leadership Academy. He is also President of Royal Navy Field Gun and its associated competitions.