ANNA MCGRADY
London, UK / Toronto,
Summary
Aviation professional with experience across flight operations, training and building an aviation business from the ground up. Comfortable leading in time-critical environments, making clear decisions under pressure and keeping safety and compliance at the centre of operations.
Known for clear communication, strong attention to detail and a practical approach to problem-solving. Experienced in coordinating across teams and managing complex, fast-moving operations, with a hands-on mindset and a focus on improving processes, supporting people and maintaining high standards.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
A320 Synthetic Flying Instructor (SFI) & SME
CAE Training Services
London Gatwick
07.2024 - Current
- Deliver A320 simulator instruction at CAE Training Services, aligning training with airline SOPs and regulatory standards
- Delivered detailed technical instruction, adapting communication style to accommodate diverse pilot experience
- Facilitated Crew Resource Management (CRM) training, emphasizing leadership, communication, and decision-making in routine and high-pressure scenarios
- Conducted thorough debriefings, providing balanced, constructive feedback to enhance individual and team performance
- Support training management with regulatory oversight, including detailed license checks and ensuring compliance with applicable requirements
- Operate independently in high-pressure environments while exercising sound judgment and maintaining strict procedural compliance
Co-Founder & Director
SEMET Aviation
Blackbushe Airport
01.2021 - Current
- Co-founded a small flying school and established an operational framework, implementing airline-level safety standards within a general aviation environment.
- Led day-to-day operations, integrating aircraft maintenance schedules, instructor rosters, student training records, and third-party providers into a unified operational system.
- Supervise instructional staff, promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Develop and implement emergency response procedures, serving as the operational point of contact for flying activities and escalation of safety or serviceability concerns.
- Evaluate and refine operational processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and resilience within a growing organisation.
A320 Senior First Officer
British Airways
London Heathrow
01.2018 - 02.2025
- A320 Senior First Officer based at London Heathrow (LHR), operating a short- and mid-haul network within a complex, fast-paced environment.
- Managed real-time operational constraints, including weather, ATC, and technical factors, prioritising customer impact while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.
- Balanced operational demands with customer service priorities, demonstrating flexibility and sound judgement, adapting to changing situations while adhering to company SOPs, values, regulatory requirements, and safety standards.
- Member of the pilot recruitment team alongside flying duties, screening and interviewing candidates aligned with operational, behavioural, and company standards; developed and implemented recruitment procedures and delivered training to improve consistency and governance.
- Built strong relationships on the flight deck, coordinating with crew, ground teams, and the wider business; selected to represent the company at global events alongside senior leadership.
- Actively sought and applied feedback to improve performance while taking opportunities to learn in a high-performance environment.
A320 First Officer
easyJet
London Gatwick
01.2015 - 09.2018
- Coordinated closely with Operations Control, Crew Scheduling and Maintenance Control to manage aircraft changes and roster disruptions.
- Provided weather interpretation, NOTAM review and operational briefings to flight and cabin crew.
- Operated within complex, high-density airport environments around London, adhering to strict airspace and ground movement regulations.
Education
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) - UK CAA
British Airways
06-2020
BSc (Hons) - Professional Aviation Pilot Practice
University of Middlesex
07-2017
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) - UK CAA
CTC Aviation
03-2015
Skills
- Flight operations coordination in time-critical environments
- Weather analysis and operational briefing
- Regulatory compliance (ICAO, national authorities, FTL)
- Emergency response and safety management
- Decisive operational judgement under pressure
- Training delivery and development
- Process improvement and operational standardisation
- Team leadership, coordination and supervision
- Clear, effective communication across multiple teams
- Adaptable within fast-paced, 24/7 operations
Additional Information
- Extensive experience operating under ICAO and international aviation regulations
- Available for 24/7 on-call operational duties
- Valid Canadian work permit
- Relocating to Ontario, Canada – Spring 2026
References
Available on request
Timeline
A320 Synthetic Flying Instructor (SFI) & SME
CAE Training Services
07.2024 - Current
Co-Founder & Director
SEMET Aviation
01.2021 - Current
A320 Senior First Officer
British Airways
01.2018 - 02.2025
A320 First Officer
easyJet
01.2015 - 09.2018
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) - UK CAA
British Airways
BSc (Hons) - Professional Aviation Pilot Practice
University of Middlesex
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) - UK CAA
CTC Aviation