Group Captain Mike Lavender was born in Urmston and spent most of his early life in Cornwal. He worked for a national building society before joining the RAF in 1988.l

As a junior officer he undertook a range of administrative appointments including recruiting, personnel management and a 6 month detachment to the Falkland Islands.  Promoted to Squadron Leader in 1998, he spent a further 6 months serving as COS to CDR HQ BFI(Air) on Op ENGADINE/PALATINE and then served as a career manager for 14,000 RAF ground trades personnel during Ops VERITAS and ORACLE.  On promotion to Wing Commander in 2004, he attended the Advanced Command and Staff Course and then served at RAF St Mawgan, the home of the RAF’s Search and Rescue Force.  He undertook the preparatory work that would see the close of the station after his departure.  In August 2006, he was selected for a prestigious appointment at the British Embassy in Washington DC, largely responsible for the RAF’s significant personnel exchange programme in the USA.  Opportunities and circumstance led him to taking a formative role in the development of the RAF’s space activities with the USAF and he became one of the Service’s few people with space expertise. 

On promotion to Group Captain he began his new appointment as the Deputy Commander of the European Support Group in June 2009.  His wife, Sandra, will accompany him along with their 3 Border Collies.  He enjoys most sports, especially squash, golf and cricket.  Both he and his wife enjoy travel opportunities and he hopes to maintain his space interests over the coming years.