Air Commodore Tom Ashbridge grew up in Northern Ireland, and studied at Queen’s University in Belfast where he was a member of both the University Air Squadron and University Officer Training Corps. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1998.
He has extensive experience in RAF and Joint Communications delivery roles, having completed tours in supporting the Support Helicopter Force, delivering expeditionary communications on Tactical Communications Wing, and embedded into Army Signal Brigade Headquarters.
Throughout his career, he has completed several operational deployments including time spent in the Falkland Islands, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was extremely fortunate to enjoy two years on exchange to the United States Cyber Command, where he was responsible for operational planning in support of US Combatant Commands and helped grow the Cyber Mission Force. He then commanded the Joint Service Signals Unit (Digby) prior to leading Cyber Capability Development for UKStratcom.
Most recently, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer for the Royal Air Force’s 11 Group, helping deliver Air’s contribution to multi-domain operations.
In October 2021, he took up appointment as ACOS J5 and Head Customer Services in Defence Digital and was also elected as President of the AFCEA London Chapter.
Tom is married to Nicky, a Chartered Accountant in the Charity Sector and they live in Shropshire with their two sons. As a family, they enjoy spending time in the outdoors in their campervan. Tom enjoys skiing and tries to keep fit by running and cycling.