Transforming defence with relentless innovation

Gilo Cardozo is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Rotron and one of the UK’s most respected aviation innovators. Awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to engineering and business, Gilo has built a career defined by technical ambition, creative problem-solving, and a deep passion for flight.

With decades of experience across propulsion, engines, and advanced aerospace systems, Gilo has consistently pushed beyond conventional boundaries to develop technologies that redefine what is possible. His work reflects a rare combination of engineering rigour and inventive thinking — enabling solutions that others consider too complex or high-risk. As CTO, Gilo sets Rotron’s technical direction and leads the development of breakthrough propulsion and unmanned systems.

His influence is evident across Rotron’s portfolio, where reliability, efficiency, and performance are treated as non-negotiable requirements rather than trade-offs. He is driven by the belief that aerospace performance can always Go Further — and that innovation, applied with discipline, can deliver meaningful impact. Gilo’s leadership embodies Rotron’s values of adventure, innovation, and impact, and continues to shape the company’s culture as a home for engineers and pioneers committed to creating a safer world through defence technology.

Alex Head is Chief Executive Officer of Rotron and brings more than 17 years of experience building, scaling, and leading technology-driven SMEs. With a background spanning engineering, manufacturing, and business management, Alex combines technical credibility with commercial discipline to guide Rotron’s growth as an advanced defence technology company.

Throughout his career, Alex has worked across the full lifecycle of complex product development — from early concept and design through to manufacturing, certification, and sustained revenue generation. His experience includes commercial strategy, market entry, and the development of stable, repeatable revenue streams in highly regulated and technically demanding environments. Alex’s technical expertise is rooted in UAV systems, propulsion, powertrain technologies, and combustion engine development — disciplines that demand precision engineering, systems thinking, and rigorous attention to performance and reliability. He understands first-hand the challenges of delivering mission-critical technology at pace, without compromising quality or safety.

As CEO, Alex is responsible for translating Rotron’s relentless innovation into scalable, defence-ready capability. He works closely with customers, partners, and investors to ensure Rotron’s technologies deliver clear operational advantage, while maintaining the agility and credibility that differentiate the company from both large primes and early-stage startups.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas brings unparalleled strategic and operational leadership to Rotron, following a distinguished 36-year career in the Royal Navy. Serving as First Sea Lord from 2013 to 2016, he was the professional head of the Navy during a period of significant transformation and technological advancement.

During his tenure, Sir George was responsible for delivering major national defence capabilities, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and frigates, while also shaping the Navy’s strategic approach to autonomy across air and maritime domains. His leadership combined operational credibility with long-term vision, ensuring that innovation was aligned with real defence needs. As Chairman of Rotron in the UK and US, Sir George provides strategic oversight and guidance as the company scales its role in advanced defence technologies.

His experience across NATO, joint operations, and allied defence environments ensures Rotron remains closely aligned with the priorities of the UK and its partners. Sir George’s involvement reinforces Rotron’s position as a trusted, defence-first technology company — agile in execution, but grounded in the realities of national security and allied operations.

Colonel Kev Oliver brings more than three decades of operational military experience and strategic insight to Rotron, with a career defined by leadership in complex, high-risk environments. A former Royal Marine with 33 years of service, Kev has operated at the intersection of operations, capability development, and defence procurement, providing him with a deep understanding of how technology performs in real-world conditions.

In his final military role, Kev played a central part in establishing and leading the UK Ministry of Defence team responsible for sourcing and delivering military equipment to support Ukraine during the first six months of the conflict. This experience has given him first-hand insight into how modern warfare is evolving, particularly the growing role of uncrewed systems, speed of innovation, and the importance of agility in defence supply chains.

Kev is known for his ability to balance rigorous data analysis with a strong understanding of the human dimension of operations. He brings a people-centric approach to leadership and decision-making, equally effective in the boardroom or in austere, remote environments. His advisory work spans uncrewed systems, mountain and Arctic warfare equipment, and the operational realities of deploying capability in extreme conditions

Beyond his formal defence career, Kev has led and participated in numerous remote expeditions, including navigating the Arctic Northwest Passage in a 17-foot open boat - an experience documented in Blokes Up North. A qualified mountaineer, RYA Yachtmaster, and white-water raft guide, he maintains active currency in demanding environments. This lived experience directly informs his perspective on relentlessness, resilience, and performance — qualities that sit at the core of Rotron.

John Dixon is Chief Operating Officer of Rotron, bringing more than four decades of senior leadership experience across aerospace, defence, and complex industrial operations. A former Senior Executive at Leonardo Helicopters, John has a proven track record in innovation, strategy, and delivery within large, multinational organisations operating in highly regulated and technically demanding environments.

Over the course of his career, John has held executive responsibility across a wide range of functions, including procurement and supply chain, customer support and training, aircraft manufacturing, and industrial operations. He has also held key leadership roles in programme management and engineering, giving him a holistic understanding of how complex aerospace programmes are conceived, delivered, and sustained over their full lifecycle. John has extensive experience managing large-scale, multi-national programmes involving culturally diverse customers, suppliers, and partners. His leadership style combines operational rigour with a collaborative approach, ensuring that performance, quality, and reliability are maintained while programmes adapt to evolving requirements. John is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership and Management.

As Chief Operating Officer, John is responsible for ensuring Rotron’s technologies are delivered with consistency, discipline, and operational excellence. He plays a central role in scaling the company’s capabilities while preserving the agility and engineering focus that underpin Rotron’s defence-first positioning.

Peter Dunn is a Non-Executive Director of Rotron and sits on the board of the holding company, providing strategic, financial, and commercial oversight as the business continues to scale. A chartered accountant and experienced insolvency practitioner, Peter brings deep expertise in corporate restructuring, value creation, and investment strategy.

Peter founded one of the UK’s leading corporate recovery and restructuring practices, which he successfully grew and sold to a quoted vehicle in 2001. During this period, he was directly involved in running, restructuring, and selling numerous businesses, including several within the engineering and industrial sectors. This experience has given him a practical understanding of how to stabilise, grow, and unlock value in complex organisations. More recently, Peter played a key role in the restructuring of a private office private-equity fund, protecting and enhancing asset value in situations of significant financial and operational stress. He has built extensive networks across the investment, recovery, and entrepreneurial communities, and is recognised for his clear-headed, commercially disciplined approach.

At Rotron, Peter has supported the business across a range of commercial and strategic initiatives and has taken a leading role in identifying and engaging potential strategic partners. His involvement helps ensure that Rotron’s growth is underpinned by sound governance, financial resilience, and long-term value creation aligned with the company’s mission and defence-led strategy.

Sadie Hill is Finance Director of Rotron, with responsibility for accounting, financial reporting, and financial analysis across the organisation. She brings more than 30 years of finance and accounting leadership experience, developed across a diverse range of sectors and operating environments in both the UK and Canada.

Sadie began her career with Ernst & Young, where she completed her professional training and developed a strong foundation in financial governance, reporting discipline, and audit. She subsequently moved into industry, holding senior finance roles within the agricultural division of Novartis, followed by positions within the consultancy arm of the marine division of BAE Systems. These roles provided exposure to complex, regulated organisations operating at international scale.

Her career has also included four years in the higher education sector at Liverpool John Moores University, broadening her experience in public-sector finance and institutional management. Following a career break and relocation to Vancouver Island, Canada, Sadie joined a growing international business based in Victoria, supporting the design, manufacture, and global sale of specialist dry suits and kiteboarding equipment. This role added valuable experience in fast-moving, product-led businesses with international supply chains.

On returning to the UK, Sadie joined Rotron as Financial Controller before progressing to Finance Director. In this role, she provides strategic financial leadership, ensuring robust financial controls, clear reporting, and informed decision-making as Rotron continues to scale. Her depth of experience supports the company’s commitment to integrity, resilience, and long-term value creation — underpinning Rotron’s mission to deliver trusted defence technologies with lasting impact.