Air Member for Materiel and Chief of Materiel (Air)
Air Member for Materiel and Chief of Materiel (Air) Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson KCB CBE BSc CEng FIET RAF
Kevin Leeson joined the Royal Air Force in 1974 as a University Cadet, graduating from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology with a first class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Early tours included the first line servicing of Hercules and Tornado aircraft and project duties, including introducing Tornado to strike/attack duties in RAF Germany and support planning for Typhoon electrical and armament systems in the Ministry of Defence.
As a wing commander, he attended the RAF Advanced Staff Course, with subsequent tours as Head of the MoD Branch responsible for all of Typhoon’s avionics, electrical and software support planning and in command of Engineering and Supply Wing at RAF Marham.
Promoted to group captain in 1996 and posted to HQ Strike Command, he managed supply and engineering activities for all of the RAF’s Tornado GR1/4 and F3 aircraft on the 7 Tornado main operating bases and also at the operational detachments in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Falkland Islands. After attending the 1999 course at the Royal College of Defence Studies, he returned to the Ministry of Defence as Group Captain Air Resources and Plans.
In 2000, he became the Director of Air Resources and Plans in the rank of air commodore, responsible for the policy, planning and scrutiny of the Royal Air Force programme. He was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in the Birthday Honours List 2003.
Promoted to air vice-marshal in Sep 04 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Logistics Operations), responsible for UK Defence Logistic Policy and the strategic direction of UK logistic support to operations. In Apr 07 he moved on to be Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Strategy and Plans) managing the resourcing and strategic direction of the UK Defence Programme. In Apr 09 he was promoted to air marshal and appointed to his current post as Chief of Materiel (Air) in Defence Equipment & Support, joining the Air Force Board as Air Member for Materiel and Chief Engineer (RAF). He became a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in the New Year’s Honours List 2012
Air Marshal Leeson is President of the Combined Services Winter Sports Association and a Vice President of the Royal International Air Tattoo. Leisure interests include water and snow skiing and travel.