Alex,
I think you have an excellent chance of joining one of the major airlines. Most of them run graduate entry programs for their legal, financial and marketing departments. A post in any of these could eventually lead to board membership - if you're an outstanding candidate. Unlike aircrew, you can freely move between airlines progressively improving your position, pay, conditions and prospects, and experience at any major will be willingly absorbed by any other.
Because of the freedom of movement of labour in your potential fields, the chances of employment are considerably less problematic than they are for aircrew and, as you say, in two years time things will be much better. You could improve your overall chances by learning a foreign language (if you can find time....), but the main thing you will need is persistance. Use the time you have now to learn as much as possible about the business, make (and keep) contacts, go to whatever seminars or conferences you can, and keep your name visible in your chosen field. If your theses are good enough, get them published in industry magazines (Flight is not a likely candidate, but don't ignore it).
There are plenty of opportunities for those who are prepared to grab them - best of luck!