When you speak with Sean Edwards, it’s immediately clear that he is passionate about people, purpose, and planes – though his path to the skies wasn’t straightforward.

He is the first Barbadian to hold the top regional position for Virgin Atlantic. Now serving as Country Manager – Caribbean, Sean’s 20-plus-year journey with the iconic airline is a story grit and growth. From sweeping the floors of storerooms full of aircraft parts to boardroom strategy sessions with global aviation leaders, Sean has done it all.

From Mechanical Ambitions to Boarding Gate Realities

Sean didn’t always dream of a career in aviation. His early ambition was to become a mechanical engineer. “I wasn’t one of those kids who was into plane spotting,” he admits. “I just liked travelling and wanted to see what was happening in the rest of the world.”

His first job was in a storeroom for aircraft parts. “I had no idea what any of the parts were,” he laughs. “But I had to organise them so the mechanics could find what they needed. It taught me discipline.”

That early exposure led to hands-on technical work, and eventually, formal training at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida – the Ivy League of aviation. From there, Sean went on to work with US Airways before returning to Barbados in 2002. Unable to find a technical role, he accepted a customer-facing job offer from Virgin Atlantic.

Learning to Lead the Virgin Way

Sean’s first Virgin role was out of his comfort zone: a junior position at the check-in desk. “I was an engineer by training,” he says, “so I had to learn fast about passenger service and airport operations.” But he quickly earned a reputation as a problem-solver, stepping in as airport relief across the Caribbean and absorbing everything he could about Virgin’s product and people.

Over the years, Sean worked his way up through operations and sales, learning the commercial ropes and fine-tuning his leadership skills. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. “There were times I didn’t get the promotion or job I wanted,” he recalls, including a key sales manager role he had set his sights on. “It hurt. But those moments taught me not to take anything for granted. You have to be ready – really ready – for the opportunity when it comes.”

After a four-year stint away from the airline, including leadership roles at Sandals Resorts and Cricket West Indies, Sean returned to Virgin in 2024, with a diversified skillset, to take on the top regional role – Country Manager for the Caribbean.

A Brand Built on People, Not Protocol

At Virgin, personality and culture matter as much as performance – something Sean embodies fully. “Our brand is about connection. It’s about people,” he says. “We’re formal when we need to be, but we don’t hide behind suits and scripts.”

Virgin Atlantic’s Caribbean operations offer a personal touch you won’t find with most global carriers. “You can WhatsApp us. Our agents know your name, your family, your business, your travel habits. That kind of relationship matters – especially in the Caribbean.”

This human-first approach is why Virgin remains a favourite among business and leisure travellers alike. “Yes, we’ve got a world-class product, but the emotional connection is what sets us apart,” Sean explains. “That’s what makes people say, ‘I’m flying Virgin.'"

Strategic Vision, Caribbean Roots

Professionally, Sean is focused on growth. He wants to see Virgin Atlantic hold top-of-mind status in Barbados and beyond – not just as a leisure airline but as a business travel leader. With strong ties to Delta and the SkyTeam Alliance, Virgin offers seamless connections to Europe, the US, and now, inter-island flights to Grenada and St. Vincent from Barbados.

For business travellers, Virgin’s premium cabins, award-winning lounges, and upper-class perks – including the Heathrow Clubhouse Lounge and chauffeur-driven check-in – offer a compelling value proposition. “We’re price competitive, yes,” Sean says, “but the real value is in the experience.”

He also points to the airline’s investment in younger, more fuel-efficient aircraft and its commitment to sustainability as key priorities for the region.

Paying It Forward: Mentorship and Mindset

But perhaps the most striking part of Sean’s story is his perspective on leadership. He talks about nearly walking out of his first job because of a toxic boss, and conversely, the many leaders who have mentored him along the way. He’s especially mindful of how senior leaders shape careers. “One person can make or break you at a critical moment,” he says. “I try to be the kind of leader I needed back then.”

Through mentorship, outreach, and programmes like Passport to Change – a Virgin Atlantic education initiative Sean is spearheading in Barbadian schools – he’s building pathways for the next generation. “Kids don’t just need to know about pilots and flight attendants,” he says. “They need exposure to the full spectrum of careers in aviation, like engineering, finance, marketing – everything that makes an airline run.”

Legacy in the Making

As for his own legacy, Sean wants Virgin Atlantic to be more than just an airline in the Caribbean – he wants it to be the airline. “When people think about flying to the UK, I want Virgin to be their first choice,” he says. “I want them to see our brand in the community, in business, in culture – our culture”

But beyond the flights and the bottom line, it’s about representation. “When I started, most of the senior roles were filled by expats. Now, I’m here – a Barbadian, leading a global brand in my region. That means something.”