Sofia Stayte is Head of Aviation Skills and Future of Flight at the Department for Transport, leading the UK Government’s Future of Flight Programme since 2021. An experienced policy and public finance professional, she has led major initiatives across aviation, rail, skills and welfare policy. Her previous roles include leading aviation Brexit negotiations, developing Rail Workforce Strategy policy, and overseeing aviation consumer and international travel policy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sofia has also led the Independent State Pension Age Review and managed large-scale skills and benefits programmes within government. She is a member of the Government Policy Profession and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

Session: Fostering UK Innovation in Autonomous Aviation: Insights from Today’s BVLOS Operations to Scale Tomorrow
Location: Theatre 1, Hall 3
Day & Time: Tuesday 21st July 2026, 13:00-13:50