Richard Lake, CEO, Eastern Airways

Richard Lake’s earlier career commenced with life as a Merchant Navy Officer, re-locating to Australia where he established a Marine Support Services business operating in South Asia for the offshore/mining industries and culminating in the sale of the business to a Singapore Plc.
Lake founded Eastern Airways in 1997 to promote regional transport links throughout the UK and Europe and the economic development that provides. He has actively supported many aspiring pilots and engineers in gaining professional flying and engineering qualifications leading to employment within Eastern Airways and the aviation industry, providing continuous employment for over 700 pilots and 400 engineers.
Awarded an OBE in November 2017, Lake became involved as a sponsor of the Lincolnshire Bomber Command Memorial Trust in 2013, joined the board in 2015 and became chairman in 2018.
Lake is also an active ship owner investor, farmer and Spitfire display pilot.