Green.org sat down with Oliver Walker-Jones, head of Communications, Marketing and Brand at Joby – a California-based company pioneering flying taxis, to learn about the future of electric aviation.
Oliver – Thanks for being here. Tell us a little bit about you and your background:
I lead Communications, Marketing and Brand at Joby – a California-based company pioneering flying taxis. Joby has spent more than a decade developing its revolutionary eVTOL technology in partnership with industry giants including NASA and Toyota and it’s vision is to drive a revolution in carbon-free air travel.
As the company’s first marketing lead, I have led the communications of major company milestones including the listing of the business on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, and the acquisition of Uber Elevate. I previously worked at German air taxi competitor Lilium, where I directed the announcement of multiple investment rounds, taking them to unicorn status and their maiden flight in 2019.
My passion for future technologies and comprehensive knowledge of the sector was honed during my time leading global communications for the aerospace division at Rolls-Royce. I have also worked at global powerhouses Walmart and Blackstone, as well as the CBI, the U.K.’s largest trade association. I have a degree in Social and Political Science from Cambridge University and a background in political campaigning, working for politicians on both sides of the Atlantic.
What is a fun fact about you?
Has now launched air taxi products at three separate companies. Sang at the 60th Birthday Party of the future King of England
Why do you think climate change and sustainability is such an important topic today?
We are moving too slowly to address the potential impacts. Some industries are like turning the tanker – we need radical action today to avoid catastrophic consequences in the future. We’re not working hard enough.
What do you envision your industry looking like 10 years from now?
Aviation is one of the largest carbon emitters in the world – we can change that if we try hard. From electric short haul to hydrogen mid and long haul, I’d like to see people flying as much as they are today, but for aviation to have gone through the environmental revolution that the auto industry has in the past 10 years.
What can the average person do to make a difference?
Talk about it – encourage businesses to take positive action.