I don't know the guy,I've never met him and I have been out of the business for years.
Having said that, he was drawn to my attention several years ago as being . allegedly , the subject of attempts to block his ascent by certain senior unnamed others in the RAF Int. Community.
If so , then he has my sympathy and also my admiration for triumphing.
Time might ( possibly ) tell.
In any event I wish him well.