Our senior team
“Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it.”
Chris Hadfield, Canadian Air Force Test Pilot, Astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station
At Greyridge Defence Advisory, our Directors lead with professionalism, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose. With decades of proven experience across defence and strategic consulting, they bring the pace, agility and insight needed to navigate complexity with a commitment to partnership.
We don’t presume; we listen. We work alongside our clients, understanding their context, adapting to their needs, and guiding them with informed, practical advice. Our leadership team combines operational depth with strategic clarity, helping shape positive outcomes.
Rooted in service and shaped by experience, our Directors remain focused on one goal: enabling our clients to move forward with clarity, agility, and lasting impact.
Our Directors - the professionals leading
Greyridge Defence Advisory
Greyridge Defence Advisory was founded to meet the rapidly evolving demands of modern defence with agility, precision, and pace. Our Directors bring operational credibility and strategic insight, forged through decades at the forefront of defence, security, and government.
We specialise in delivering high-impact advisory services that drive transformation, accelerate decision-making, and unlock capability at speed. Our approach is pragmatic, responsive, and outcome-focused, helping organisations adapt fast, act decisively, and maintain the edge in an increasingly contested environment.
Peter "Rocky" Rochelle
CB OBE DFC MA
Founder and Innovation Director
Bringing over 37 years of experience across Government, Defence, Security, and Commercial sectors, Rocky offers proven expertise in leadership, strategy, organisational design, acquisition, and delivery. Known for operating in high-pressure environments, he has consistently led complex organisations through transformational change with clarity, accountability, and strategic vision — empowering high-performing teams along the way.
He has extensive experience in acquisition and programme delivery, having successfully managed a £40B portfolio of 197 programmes, including major Category A projects. He pioneered rapid acquisition methods and played a key role in regenerating UK combat aircraft manufacturing, including spearheading the Global Combat Aircraft Programme. His leadership spans government and national security domains, enabling effective engagement with senior stakeholders across the UK, US, and allied nations.
Highly skilled in portfolio, change, and programme management, Rocky ensures alignment between strategy and delivery. A natural collaborator and consensus builder, he brings a pragmatic, results-driven approach to driving sustainable growth and capability.
Chaz Kennett
CBE MA FRAeS
Founder and Commercial Director
Chaz brings over 36 years of military experience which spans operating as fast jet aircrew in combat through to extensive exposure to the inner workings of Whitehall and UK Government functions through successive appointments in the UK Ministry of Defence. His MoD appointments include: advanced avionics research; capability management; operational and strategic policy and planning; international engagement; and managing and directing programmes. More latterly, Chaz was responsible for the delivery of the Qatar Typhoon programme which is a unique undertaking with a Programme value in excess of £6.0Bn.
Chaz has held a number of senior leadership and command positions with exposure to operating at all levels. He has significant experience in the development of strategy to meet the fast-changing needs of the complex defence landscape. His natural leadership style is collaborative with clearly articulated outcomes to ensure understanding and inclusion across his team.
Chaz’s expertise includes building successful teams, crisis leadership and management, Middle East relations and strategic leadership in Defence.
Kevin "Chesh" Cowieson
MBA MSc MA BSc CMgr FCMI
Founder and Delivery Director
Chesh is a flexible, innovative leader and consultant with extensive experience driving strategic and operational change in complex, digital environments. With a background that blends high-level military command and staff appointments with academic insight, Chesh leads with energy, collaboration, and clarity, prioritising communication and stakeholder inclusion to deliver impactful transformation.
Chesh's 34-year RAF career spanned Air Battlespace Management, intelligence, and airbase operations, with capability and delivery (Ballistic Missile Defence and Space), and doctrine and policy amongst a diverse range of staff appointments. His last two appointments comprised Air Officer Battlespace Management, and Air Officer Airbases.
A graduate of the world-renowned Royal College of Defence Studies, Chesh is also a Trustee and Director at Erskine Veteran's Charity.
Contact Greyridge Defence Advisory
At Greyridge Defence Advisory, we are committed to providing expert advisory services tailored to your unique needs. If you have any inquiries or require further information about our services, please do not hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you and supporting you to achieve your objectives.