Commodore Neil Mathieson

Head Regulation and Certification Military Aviation Authority - UK MoD

Commodore NEIL MATHIESON joined the Royal Navy in September 1998 after graduating from the University of Strathclyde with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. His early career involved sea-time in Type 22 frigate HMS BOXER, assault ship HMS FEARLESS and assignments on 800 NAS operating the FA2 Sea Harrier aircraft, and in the Harrier Integrated Project Team as the in-service structural engineering authority for the GR variant of that aircraft. Professional Command at OF3 was as the Air Engineer Officer on 845 NAS operating the Sea King Mk4 helicopter. Alongside other staff assignments in the F-35 Programme and in Joint Helicopter Command, he has also completed two operational tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. In addition to serving in all three INVINCIBLE CLASS aircraft carriers either with embarked squadrons or as Ship’s Company, he has also been the Chief Air Engineer onboard HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH. This period encompassed both F-35B First of Class Flying Trials and Operational Test as well as the first embarkation of the F-35B in UK waters to conduct aircrew Carrier Qualification. Promoted to Captain in 2019, Mathieson took up the role of JHC Chief Air Engineer and In-Service Capability Management Lead; a busy but highly rewarding assignment that required him to assure the 2* Command of the safety, airworthiness and fighting capability for multiple type/marks of battlefield and support helicopters as well as the British Army’s uncrewed air system fleet. On completion he spent two years as the UK F-35B Type Airworthiness Authority and Lightning Delivery Team (DT) Chief Engineer. In addition to these core engineering roles, he was also the DT Spiral Development lead for the UK F-35B capability. This involved managing full integration of advanced Electronic Warfare Systems, countermeasures, complex weapons and requisite propulsion and cooling upgrades to facilitate such capabilities. His final assignment as an OF5 was as Merlin Delivery Team leader and Acting Head of Helicopters 1 in DE&S. He took up his current role as Head of Regulation and Certification in the Military Aviation Authority on 1st July 2025, alongside achieving substantive promotion to Commodore. Mathieson is married to Kim, a retired police officer, and has two teenaged step-daughters (Grace and Alice) and a 9 year old daughter (Thea). They all live in rural Somerset just outside of Taunton. In his spare time, he enjoys home improvements and watching any rugby match that’s on the television. A graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course and the Royal College of Defence Studies Global Strategy Programme, he holds a Masters Degree in International Security Studies, and is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.