Jane Butler Non-Executive Director

Jane joined British Aerospace (predecessor to BAE Systems) in June 1989 following eight years at the UK’s Defence & Aerospace Industry Trade Association, The Society of British Aerospace Companies (pre-cursor to today’s ADS).

Starting at British Aerospace in Corporate Communications, Jane went on to have numerous roles in the company including heading the protocol team in the Exhibitions and Events Department from 1991 to 1994.  This gave Jane her first exposure to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and started a long and close association with the event which continues to this day.  A role in the Corporate Government Relations team followed and, when British Aerospace explored two potential merger options, Jane moved to the newly formed European Government Relations team.

Following the Company’s merger with GEC Marconi in 1999 and the formation of BAE Systems, she was promoted to Director Europe in the Group Business Development team managing the Company’s customer interface in France, Germany and Italy during a time when a number of European collaborative programmes were being secured such as Typhoon, Meteor and A400M.

In April 2001, Jane returned to the Corporate UK Government Relations team with a focus on the Company’s air business winning activities and customer interface.  This resulted in the creation of a new role in 2006 within BAE Systems’ Air business unit of Director UK Government and Customer Relations to which Jane was promoted.  Key to the role was acting as the Air business’ main strategic interface with its UK Government and military customers – a role Jane matured and refined until her retirement in September 2022.

Married to Stu, Jane has two grown-up daughters.  Passionate about keeping fit, Jane enjoys riding, skiing, tennis, badminton, running and going to the gym.  She also enjoys international travel and musical theatre.