This role focuses on backing our teams and strengthening how we operate as the business scales, so we continue to deliver for clients smoothly, whether the work is simple or more complex.
Fletcher joins Sphere with deep experience across drones, geospatial and operational delivery.
He’s spent close to a decade working at the intersection of technology and operations, helping organisations turn drone capability into usable outcomes. His background spans enterprise drone programs, data platforms and highly regulated environments, where reliability, clarity and repeatable delivery matter.
“Fletcher brings strong operational experience and a clear understanding of what it takes to run drone programs at scale. His focus is on strengthening how we operate across the business so we can continue delivering reliable outcomes for clients as Sphere grows,” says Paris Cockinos, CEO of Sphere.
After running his own consulting business, Fletcher was drawn to Sphere by the opportunity to help build something meaningful at scale. A shared view on where the industry is heading, particularly the shift toward fully remote operations, made the move a natural fit.
Most recently at Rio Tinto, and previously at Nearmap and DroneDeploy, Fletcher worked on large-scale drone programs where operating models needed to hold up day to day, not just on paper.
As Sphere grows, how work is delivered matters just as much as the technology behind it. Fletcher is working closely across production, flight operations, engineering and sales to strengthen coordination, ownership and consistency across the business.
Remote operations, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and the ongoing development of our remote operations centre (ROC) are key focus areas for Sphere. Fletcher’s experience with scalable and centralised operating models supports how these capabilities are being built in a practical and compliant way, grounded in real-world delivery.
For our clients, this is about working with a partner that continues to invest in how solutions are delivered, not just the tools used to deliver them.
It means smoother delivery, clearer ownership, and continued confidence that Sphere can support deployments of any size and and complexity.
“What drew me to Sphere was the opportunity to help build something meaningful at scale. Paris and I shared a clear view on where the industry is heading, especially as drone operations move toward fully remote delivery. The opportunity ahead is significant, and it’s exciting to be strengthening operations at a point where scale, reliability and delivery really matter,” says Fletcher Heywood, Director of Operations.
Fletcher has already hit the ground running, working alongside teams on active projects and deliveries, sharing experience and helping lift how Sphere operates day to day.
As Fletcher settles into the role, he’s keen to connect with clients and partners. You can connect with Fletcher on LinkedIn or get in touch with our team to arrange an introduction.
