Richard Browning

Richard Browning is the founder of Gravity Industries, an innovator in human flight and a respected speaker on technology, entrepreneurship, and redefining the limits of possibility.

Richard Browning is the Founder, CEO and Chief Test Pilot of Gravity Industries – an innovative aeronautical company that developed and launched the world’s first human Jet Suit. Since its inception in 2017, Gravity has grown into a globally recognised business valued at over $80 million, pushing the boundaries of what many believed was impossible in human aviation.

Richard’s journey into flight was inspired by a desire to explore the limits of human capability, driven in part by the unfulfilled ambitions of his late father. His Jet Suit technology has been featured across global media, reaching over two billion people, and has led to applications beyond public demonstrations, including work with Special Forces and remote medical response teams. Gravity has delivered more than 300 live events across 40+ countries and now offers flight training experiences in both the UK and the US.

Before launching Gravity, Richard spent 16 years in the oil and gas sector as a commodities trader with BP. During that time, he developed and led several entrepreneurial initiatives, including a world-first, $500 million cargo-tracking platform that earned him the BP Group Innovation Award. His commercial background, combined with a passion for engineering and problem-solving, underpins his approach to innovation and business growth.

He has a strong interest in supporting entrepreneurship and STEM education, regularly advocating for the importance of encouraging innovation from a young age. Outside of his aviation work, Richard is a former Royal Marine Reservist, an ultra-marathon runner, and an investor in several early-stage ventures.

Richard is a highly regarded speaker who brings a mix of technical insight, personal story and business relevance. He has delivered keynotes for leading organisations including Microsoft, BP, Google and CISCO, and has spoken on the TED Mainstage. He is also involved in advisory work with government departments and senior leadership teams, including the UK Ministry of Defence, where he shares practical strategies on building cultures of innovation, overcoming organisational inertia, and thinking beyond conventional limits.

His first book, Taking On Gravity, tells the story of how Gravity Industries came to life and explores the challenges and breakthroughs that shaped its journey.