Director General Defence Safety Authority

Air Marshal Alan Gillespie CBE MA BSc RAF

Biography

Air Marshal Alan Gillespie was appointed as Director General (DG) Defence Safety Authority (DSA) on 29 November 2024.

His previous MOD roles include:

Command of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing, Bastion Airfield, Afghanistan
Group Captain ISTAR Capability Development, HQ 2 Group
Command of RAF Waddington and ISTAR Force Commander
UK Air Component Commander and Air Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group
Battlespace Management Force Commander HQ 1 Group
Head of the HQ Air Transformation Programme
Air Officer Commanding 2 Group
Director Military Aviation Authority

is empowered, by the Secretary of State for Defence, to lead the DSA in its roles as the independent regulator, investigator and assurer for Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) within defence
provides independent assurance to the Secretary of State and the department that the Secretary of State’s policy on HS&EP in defence is being implemented in the conduct of defence activities
prepares an annual assurance report including a summary of HS&EP compliance and risk for consideration by the Second Permanent Secretary, the Defence Board and the Secretary of State
is the primary convening authority for HS&EP-related Service Inquiries (SI)
ensures all HS&EP-related fatalities, serious injuries, significant environmental incidents and major capability loss are appropriately investigated to identify lessons, make recommendations, promote continuous improvement and minimise the risk of reoccurrence