Douglas Ayling

Douglas Ayling has extensive experience in strategy, investment, and partnerships in the energy and technology sectors. Douglas currently serves as the Global Head of Strategy - Infrastructure at ZeroAvia, where they have originated relationships and partnerships with major companies and secured investments. Prior to ZeroAvia, Ayling held various roles at Shell, including Global Strategy and Investment Manager for Emobility, where they led regional strategy and negotiated equity deals. Douglas also served as the Shell Digital Asset Custodian at Energy Web, spearheading initiatives for digital asset custody. Ayling has been involved in the automotive industry as an investor and Shell shareholder representative at Via and Airbiquity. Earlier in their career, they held positions at FarePilot, Accenture, Google, and R. H. Wohl & Associates Government Consultants. Ayling has a strong background in digital strategy and ventures, as well as operations management.

Douglas Ayling completed their undergraduate studies at Lancaster University, earning a 1st Class Honours degree in English Literature from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, they pursued Advanced Japanese studies at Middlebury College for one year. From 2004 to 2005, they attended the University of Oxford and obtained a Master of Science in Social and Cultural Anthropology, with a distinction on their dissertation. Douglas also pursued interdisciplinary postgraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, focusing on Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Literature. Prior to these tertiary studies, Douglas Ayling attended St Paul's School from 1992 to 1997.