November 7, 2025
Meet the team: Chloe Prescott, Hub Operator, Royal Mail
Since 2023 Skyports and Royal Mail have been operating an inter-island drone delivery service in Orkney, delivering mail to the island residents of Graemsay and Hoy. Here we catch up with Chloe Prescott, one of Royal Mail’s Hub Operators, who works with Skyports’ remote pilots to make the service run like clockwork and help ensure island residents get their essential mail delivered on time.
Thanks for speaking to us Chloe. So how did you end up in the Orkney Islands?
My parents moved up to the Orkney Islands around 4 years ago, wanting a change of pace.
I was in the military before, and their move got me thinking whether I was also up for trying something different. So I took a bit of a leap of faith, left the military, and moved up here in the search of something new. And it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
What was your background with Royal Mail, and how did it lead you to becoming a Hub Operator?
When I first arrived I applied for a job with Royal Mail, working out of the Stromness depot.
I was applying to be a Royal Mail delivery person, but during the interview my manager let me know they were also recruiting for Skyports’ and Royal Mail’s drone delivery programme between Stromness, Graemsay and Hoy. I had no idea that the drone delivery programme existed, but thought it sounded amazing, and was super keen to get involved.
Given my previous experience in the military and using radios and voice procedures, my manager thought I’d be the perfect fit for the job. So I said yes straight away, and I’ve been a Hub Operator ever since.
What do you get up to as a Hub Operator?
I’m basically the link between Royal Mail and Skyports, helping to handle the drone operations on the ground. Skyports pilots aren’t actually here in Stromness – they pilot the drones from their Remote Operations Centres either in Manchester or Buckinghamshire.
In the morning I’ll head up to the container, and set up the aircraft and run through pre-flight checks – so checking the batteries are charged, and the aircraft is in working order.
I’ll then collect the mail that arrives from Glasgow into Kirkwall and onto the Stromness depot, and split it between Graemsay and Hoy, crate it up and put it in the drone’s payload box.
I’ll then weigh the payload box and take photos of the drone, sending the photos back to the Remote Pilot so they can OK everything. They then launch the drone and send it on its way to either Graemsay or Hoy.
So what happens once the drone is in the air?
Once the drone reaches its final destination, it drops the payload. This is then picked up by the delivery person, who takes the post to its final recipients on the islands.
With the payload dropped, the drone then makes the return journey back to me, with me overseeing communication and updates to Skyports’ RP. Once back at base at the end of the mission, I’ll pack the drone down and get everything prepared for the next day’s operations.
What do local residents think of the drone delivery project with Royal Mail, and what impact do you think it’s had?
It definitely feels like the project has given a new opportunity to explore additional connections between the mainland and the islands, and a lot of people think it’s a great idea. It creates the opportunity for island residents to experience the same day delivery service that is offered in areas around Stromness.
You do get some questions from residents on whether we need the service, but when you explain that it’s just a first stage in what is hoped to be a wider roll out of drone delivery services, and how it could connect the whole of Orkney, they understand the potential and what we’re trying to achieve.
How would you like to see the project evolve in the future?
It would be great if we could explore expanding operations to other isles around Scotland.
In particular, it would be fantastic if we could look to deliver urgent medicines or lab results to residents, and add other priority special delivery post to the service.
Having been involved in the project and seen the results first hand, what do you think the opportunity is for drone deliveries for other remote communities across the UK?
I think it has real potential, as it could be installed anywhere where there are remote communities in the UK.
It also feels like Royal Mail, working with Skyports, has a real first mover advantage in the skills and knowledge they’ve developed through the project. Other delivery companies will likely be looking at these services too, so it feels like there’s real scope for Royal Mail to build the service further.
So are you a “drone nerd” now?!
I’ve never worked with drones before, but I’ve found it really interesting.
I’ve also taken on some maintenance of the drone if it’s needed, which I’ve enjoyed doing. I’ll get on a video call, and the RP will guide me through what to do, so I’ve got to know the technology pretty well.
In general I’ve loved the experience and working on something that feels like it’s the way of the future, whilst also making a difference in the process.
