Meet our Academy Trainers
A Team Built on Experience
Our small team of permanent trainers focuses on providing world-class training. With over of 110 years experience combined, the team has a wealth of knowledge with previous roles in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Offshore and Industrial Sector.
Our highly qualified and experienced instructors provide bespoke training to meet customers’ needs, which ensures that we are the training provider of choice for many companies and individuals.
Find out some more about our enthusiastic, experienced and friendly instructors ahead of your training or browse our course catalogue.
Graham Reeve
Graham started his fire career in 1988 when he became a Firefighter for the Royal Air Force at 18.
He served within the UK and abroad in Iraq, South Africa and Belize, where he worked with RAF aircraft, including Tornado’s, Jaguars, Chinooks, C130J, C17 and Tristar, dealing with aircraft incidents, road traffic collisions and major structural and domestic incidents.
Dave Matthews
Dave began to work for Newcastle International Airport in 1990, after leaving the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy after 11 years of service.
Dave worked through the ranks to Station Manager until March 2022. After 32 years in an operational role, he then decided to move departments and become an instructor for the Newcastle International Training Academy.
Andy Bennett
Andy has almost 40 years of experience in rescue and firefighting across the military, civil, and aviation sectors. Before joining Newcastle International Airport Fire Training Academy, he spent over 20 years at the International Fire Training Centre (IFTC), where he most recently held the role of Aviation Curriculum Lead.
Throughout his career, Andy has delivered aviation firefighting training to UK and international airport fire services, supporting the development of firefighters from initial recruit level through to supervisory, managerial, and Fire Service Manager roles.
Andy is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience to help others develop the confidence and professionalism required to perform safely and effectively in the demanding aviation firefighting environment. He enjoys seeing students’ progress through their training and achieve their full potential
Ian Woodger
Ian began his fire service career at the age of 18 when he joined the Royal Naval Air Command Fire Service. During his six years of service, he operated as a firefighter at both UK military airfields and aboard front-line aircraft carriers deployed in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
Following his military service, Ian joined Newcastle Airport Fire Service, where he spent 18 years progressing from Firefighter to Watch Manager. Ian then moved to Saudi Arabia, where he spent two years at Red Sea International Airport, serving initially as a Fire Service Station Captain before being appointed Training Manager.
Having returned to Newcastle Airport, Ian is now a member of the Fire Training Academy team, where he specialises in aviation firefighting instruction and the delivery of a wide range of operational and leadership development programmes.
Tom Eddleston
Tom has been actively involved in the aviation industry for more than 40 years, building a wealth of knowledge and experience across a wide range of operational environments. His aviation career began in the Royal Air Force, where he worked overseas, gaining valuable insight into international operations and teamwork. During his time with the RAF, Tom developed his expertise and eventually progressed to become an instructor.
Following his military career, Tom moved to Scotland, where he played a key role in the licensing of three small Airports before going on to manage them. Tom later joined Newcastle Airport Fire Training Academy, where he continues to use his experience to deliver high-quality training courses.
Scott Dryden
With over 25 years of firefighting experience in the aviation sector, Scott has progressed from operational firefighter to Crew Manager and now to Watch Manager - Training Academy Instructor. His firefighting career began at Carlisle Airport, in 2003 Scott was seconded to Newcastle Airport. In 2024 an opportunity arose to join the instructional team within the Training Academy. Passionate about training and mentoring others, Scott did not hesitate to embrace the role.
Scott’s background combines emergency response experience with a passion for training and development, and he is dedicated to developing the next generation of firefighters and emergency responders, while continuing his own professional journey.
Our Extended Training Team
As well as our permanent trainers, we have 11 fantastic trainers who support our First Aid, Off Shore, Aviation and Physical Training courses. Many are Firefighters and Airfield Controllers working across the Airport site.
Looking for more information?
For more information on our courses, please call the team on (0191) 214 3337 or complete the form below and a colleague will get back to you as soon as possible: