About Us

Your Drone Partner

Our Mission

Transforming client potential through cutting-edge drone technology

With 17 years of experience in the drone industry, we've observed an exponential increase in the availability of diverse hardware and software solutions. Keeping up with this rapid evolution is increasingly challenging when combined with regulatory compliance. To facilitate your adaptation to these changes, heliguy™ has established the necessary infrastructure to expedite your adoption.

Comprehensive Consultancy for Enterprise Transformation

Our consultancy tackles the core challenges enterprises face in adopting new technology: identifying start points, ensuring hardware-software compatibility, and bridging skills gaps through our own specialists and pilot teams. As we adapt to evolving needs and risks, our approach fills these gaps to support successful outcomes.

We provide support at every stage of implementation and integration, focusing on interoperability within your existing systems. Our expertise ensures alignment with regulatory standards, including health and safety protocols and CAA regulations.

Understanding that even large multinationals may struggle to execute such complex strategies alone, we step in to drive the initial execution and delivery. Following integration, we offer flexible options—either remaining for ongoing support or executing a seamless handover to your team.

Through tailored training, we empower your teams to uphold productivity and safety. This holistic approach increases the likelihood of success, fostering improvements in efficiency, safety, and overall organisational growth.

Welcome To The Triangle

Three buildings, one drone specialist. The Triangle is the place we call home: An innovation hub, housing our core service offerings and 35+ staff across 9,000 square feet of office space.

Two Decades Of Experience

Established 2006

'Deep Roots', evolving into the drone sector from 'Toy Town UP'; rather than 'Military DOWN'.

heliguy™ is the online retail brand presence of the company Colena Ltd, which started life as an RC Helicopter specialist in Northumberland, UK.

At heliguy™, we have always been focused on specialisation with a higher level of support than the industry average. We were unknowingly a part of this sector back in 2006 when we built large RC helicopters capable of computerised autonomous flight.

We evolved the business, expanding the technical and training teams to build more units and to train people in what we already knew, giving them a head start in the evolving services sector.

One Of The First Drone Training Providers

Established 2015

In 2015, heliguy™ became one of the UK's first drone training NQEs, moving into a sector previously dominated by one company.

Since then, we have established ourselves as a leading drone industry training provider, and our instructors and regulatory specialists have taught 7,000+ candidates.

Our team has adapted to industry changes, running PfAW and PfCO courses before transitioning to an RAE in 2020 to teach the A2 CofC and GVC.

We deliver online training, as well as face-to-face instructor-led provision.

Our dedicated training offering extends to industry-specific tuition - such as aerial surveying, industrial inspection and public safety - as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, and Ofqual-regulated accredited training.

Counter-UAS

Established 2018

heliguy™ launched the Counter-UAS division in 2018, embracing the growing demand for drone-defence.

We provide solutions to major UK airports, including Gatwick, and Bristol; the emergency services and military, including the MET Police and MOD; sporting events, such as the British Grand Prix and the Royal Box at Royal Ascot; and have partnered with BT as part of its C-UAS programme.

Our C-UAS provision is centered on DJI AeroScope - endorsed by the UK’s Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure.

We are the only DJI AeroScope partner with the permission to supply globally and offer fixed and portable solutions, and rental units to allow for surge capability.

Our AeroScope provision includes 24/7 support with a specialist team consisting of technicians and account managers.

We are partners with key players in airspace safety and protection to provide layered, tailored, and multi-sensor drone-defence solutions.

In-house Drone Surveying Department

Established 2019

Drone surveying is a rapidly growing sector within the drone industry.

Recognising this, we started and expanded a dedicated in-house geospatial department.

We've built a team of surveying specialists, recruiting graduates from Newcastle University's renowned GIS department and bringing in professionals with previous real-world surveying experience.

The department provides tailored advice to help drone programmes start and scale their drone surveying enterprise.

This includes hardware and software consultancy, support and supply; photogrammetry and LiDAR training; data-processing assistance; and in-the-field face-to-face tuition on active job sites to help clients collect real-world data.

We've also partnered with leading survey companies to deliver a seamless end-to-end workflow, including Emlid GNSS receivers, XGRIDS' handheld laser scanners, and third-party software providers.

Global Logistics

Transborder capabilities

Global companies with global locations require partners that can deliver on both continents or countries simultaneously.

We help you spot the opportunities to level up and standardise between locations ensuring the safest possible standards exist in your company regardless of location.

heliguy™'s logistics network facilitates these transborder operations.

We also have export licences to facilitate deliveries outside of the UK on dual-use products to EU Member States, plus Norway, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and an export control fast-track process for the Rest of the World. A growing problem in the sector is ensuring safe and swift delivery around the globe. Managing the delivery is becoming more acute as lithium ion power restrictions limit the delivery options available.

Combined with strict requirements, certifications and documentations for locations in the Middle East and Africa, it's important to partner with a company with experience and the knowledge to enable your delivery.

Meet Your Sales Team

Expert advice, consultancy, and sales support

Head of Rental

Louise Blake

Louise manages heliguy™ rental - the UK's largest drone hire fleet. She oversees every rental from start to finish, managing the diary to ensure equipment availability, creating orders, and providing comprehensive customer support. A logistics expert, she has implemented efficient systems for smooth operations and excels in proactive stock planning. Louise also supports the technical team by testing drone equipment.

Head of Operations

Michael Smith

Michael entered the drone industry in 2018 when he joined heliguy™. He started as a sales executive and has progressed through several positions, including Head of Sales, before moving into Operations. Before joining heliguy™, Michael worked in hospitality management, holding positions of Restaurant Manager and General Manager.

Assistant Operations Manager

Kevin Morton

Kevin is an accredited DJI Dock engineer and software integration specialist. He is an official DJI AeroScope technician - completing the training at DJI HQ in China - and has installed C-UAS solutions around the world. A technical specialist and keen drone pilot, Kevin previously headed the heliguy™ repair centre and has logged 350+ flight hours. He joined heliguy™ in 2015.

Business Development Manager

Ruairi Hardman

Utilising his 12+ years of experience in the UAS industry, Ruairi fosters long-term business relations to guide global organisations through the establishment and scaling of their drone programmes. As an accredited DJI Solutions engineer, he relentlessly pursues enhanced workflows to solve customer pain points. Ruairi is a GVC drone pilot and has logged 400+ flight hours on fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

Enterprise Account Manager

Matthew Cairns

Matty has a decade of drone industry experience. He is heliguy™'s Blue Light Lead, supporting the majority of the UK's public safety agencies. He is tasked with helping clients start and scale their drone operations through the heliguy™ Drone Assistive Programme and he also works closely with the heliguy™ in-house training team to coordinate nationwide bespoke courses.

Head of Rental

Louise Blake

Assistant Operations Manager

Kevin Morton

Business Development Manager

Ruairi Hardman

Enterprise Account Manager

Matthew Cairns

Head of Rental

Louise Blake

Meet Your Geospatial Team

End-to-end surveying support

heliguy™ Geospatial Lead

Richard Dunlop

Richard delivers survey training and consultancy and helps clients collect real-world data to accelerate drone adoption. He has developed online training courses and was guest speaker at Digital Construction Week. He has a BSc (Hons) in Surveying and Mapping Science from Newcastle University, and has vast experience in geomatics land surveying.

Geospatial Specialist

Matt Sharples

Geospatial Specialist Matt delivers comprehensive survey support. He has substantial experience as a land surveyor and setting out engineer. Before joining heliguy™, he managed a range of projects, including topographic and bathymetric surveys, setting out works, and laser scanning, and led large-scale earthworks and remediation operations.

Technical Geospatial Specialist

Alex Williams

Alex provides drone programmes with technical support on LiDAR and photogrammetry, and guidance on GNSS principles and modelling software. He has an MSc in Geographic Information Systems from the University of Leeds and a BSc in Geology and Environmental Hazards from the University of Derby. Alex previously worked in infrastructure planning.

Meet Your Training Instructors

Learn from a team of experienced instructors - including ex-Armed Forces personnel - who have taught 7,000+ candidates

Training Instructor

Andrew Peacock

Andrew is a GVC and A2 CofC certified drone pilot. Before joining heliguy™, he worked in education and training in the public sector for eight years. He also has 15+ years of experience of teaching and coaching Martial Arts in multiple countries across the world. Andrew's diverse background in education, martial arts, and health and fitness provides a unique perspective to the heliguy™ training team.

Training Administrator

Faye Ashton

Faye served in the Royal Navy for 7 and a half years, where she was employed in the warfare branch communications sector and reached the rank of Leading Hand. She has 10+ years of logisitcs experience, including former heliguy™ warehouse manager, and was previously a HMRC online technical advisor. Her career has helped her develop public interaction skills and experience different cultures.

Drone Instructor

Bradley McLeary

Bradley served as a Police Officer for three years, including one as a Police Tutor, gaining teaching experience he later applied in the drone industry. Certified with A2 CofC and GVC, and with two years as a Drone Instructor, he is qualified to fly in both Open and Specific categories under EASA regulations. Bradley also worked as a Flight Operator in the USA, and gained valuable experience conducting BVLOS flights.

Accountable Manager

Mark Blaney

Mark has worked with drones since 2008, logging 2,000+ flying hours with fixed-wing and multirotor aircraft. He is a former British Army UAV Operator, having deployed the Hermes 450 tactical fixed-wing in Afghanistan. He also assisted MAT Kosovo to use drones for mine clearance, and worked on drone programmes with government departments in Hong Kong.

Head of Training

Jack Sharp

Jack has seven years of drone pilot experience, logging 400+ flight hours. A talented drone photographer, his work has been featured by the BBC, Forestry England and Mountain Warehouse. Jack has a vast training background, with previous roles in the NHS forensic section and at HM Prison Service.

Business Regulatory Training Specialist

Graham Hegarty

Graham amassed 10,000 flying hours during an 18-year career in manned aviation, including captaining the world's largest twinjet, the Boeing 777. He is also a former member of the British Army Reserve. Graham utilises his core airmanship skills to provide heliguy™ clients with drone law support and works with organisations to develop safety cases for advanced UAS missions, including BVLOS.

Chief Instructor / Head of Safety

Tom Anderson

Tom is an experienced drone pilot, with 400+ flying hours to his name. He has been part of the heliguy™ training team since 2016 and has a passion for building and flying fixed-wing and FPV aircraft. Tom has previously been a DSA Approved Driving Instructor and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and became one of the first in the UK to obtain the Mountain Training Association Development Coach Award.

Training Instructor

Lois Smith

Lois has a strong teaching background having worked in the education sector, including a stint in the UAE teaching English Language. During this time, she helped two pupils obtain prestigious international scholarships and was honoured with a high-performance award. She also has management and customer-facing experience, having run a local beauty salon and overseen a team of six therapists.

Training Instructor

Brandon Jones

Brandon is an experienced drone operator and has recorded 300+ flight hours. He specialises in photography and cinematography, and is an FPV enthusiast. He is a certified DJI Dock engineer and part of the C-UAS team. Before joining heliguy™, Brandon - an experienced alpinist - worked in the snow sports industry, coordinating development programmes with young athletes.

Training Instructor

Chris Thompson

Chris joined heliguy™ with six years of training experience, having worked for Sage as a Professional Services Consultant. He uses his 3D Computer Animation Degree to design engaging graphics and visuals to benefit heliguy™ candidates during their online learning. As a former coordinator at a 3D product visualisation platform, Chris can help candidates bolster their business's digital offering.

Training Instructor

Andrew Peacock

Training Administrator

Faye Ashton

Drone Instructor

Bradley McLeary

Business Regulatory Training Specialist

Graham Hegarty

Chief Instructor / Head of Safety

Tom Anderson

Training Instructor

Lois Smith

Training Instructor

Brandon Jones

Training Instructor

Chris Thompson

Training Instructor

Andrew Peacock

Training Administrator

Faye Ashton

Drone Instructor

Bradley McLeary

Meet Your In-house Crash Support Team

DJI-trained technicians who have conducted 6,500+ repairs

Drone Technician

Jack Hall

Jack is a primary repair and service technician and offers technical support to customers. Jack joined heliguy™ in 2022 with more than 4 years of experience as a mechanical auto-repair technician and Level 3 qualifications in light vehicle mechanics and engineering. He previously worked for an ISO 17025 Accredited Calibration Laboratory and has expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering.

Drone Technician / Logistics

Kieran Browell

Kieran oversees technnical logistics and is repair liaison consultant with DJI’s Repair Centre in The Netherlands, handling overseas shipping to streamline the process of direct repairs with the manufacturer. He is also developing his skillset in electronic and mechanical engineering. Before joining heliguy™, Kieran looked after logistics as Duty Store Manager for Iceland.

Head of Technical

Andrew Blake

Andrew is Head of Technical at the heliguy™ in-house repair centre. He is the primary service technician, conducting sensor calibrations and test flights. He also specialises in DJI Enterprise repairs, including the DJI Matrice Series. He has Level 3 qualifications in vehicle maintenance and product design and has mechanical and auto-parts experience.

Drone Technician

Jack Hall

Drone Technician / Logistics

Kieran Browell

Drone Technician

Jack Hall

Drone Technician / Logistics

Kieran Browell

Meet Your Logistics Team

Logistics specialists, facilitating next-day delivery and global shipping

Warehouse Logistics Manager

Andy Chambers

Andy, our logistics manager of seven years, is fundamental to keeping heliguy™ running smoothly. He oversees goods moving in and out of the warehouse, creates invoices, sets up payments, and distributes shipping quotes. He handles international shipping and dangerous goods.

Warehouse Operative

Michael Maholem

Michael, our warehouse operative, has been with heliguy™ for five years and has 35 years of experience working in warehouses and stock rooms. Michael excels in utilising systems and space efficiently, ensuring smooth and effective operations, and assists in global logistics.

Meet Your Digital Marketing Team

Educating the drone sector with industry-leading digital content

Head of Digital Content

James Willoughby

James joined heliguy™ in 2018 following a 13-year stint in print and online journalism, having worked on regional and weekly newspaper titles. He is responsible for spearheading heliguy™'s content strategy and social media delivery. James collaborates with DJI Enterprise's European marketing team to coordinate and produce case studies and helps organise events and webinars.

Marketing & Content Specialist

Jamie Collier

Jamie, our marketing and content specialist, shapes heliguy™’s online presence by creating engaging social media posts and blog content. She highlights drone features and practical applications across industries and collaborates on case studies showcasing drones' efficiency. Jamie also assists in managing the product portfolio and writes releases and comparisons. Her previous writing experience includes roles at HMRC.

Head of Digital Content

James Willoughby

Marketing & Content Specialist

Jamie Collier

Head of Digital Content

James Willoughby

Marketing & Content Specialist

Jamie Collier

Why you should buy from heliguy™?

Comprehensive, lifetime assistance to help you start and scale your operations.

Streamlined Delivery
Free Next Day Shipping Over £99 and 50-Day Free Returns on Faulty Items.
Trusted UK Partner
20 years in UAVs, expertise in repairs, servicing, training, and insurance.
UK Support
In-country technical support line staffed by four trained technicians.