AEROSPACE WALES FORUM
AEROSPACE WALES FORUM
The sector also has its own Enterprise Zone. Cardiff Airport and BroTathan Enterprise Zone is a leading UK aerospace and defence location with an 80 year heritage, an international airport on site and all this on the doorstep of Cardiff - Wales’ capital city. Deeside Enterprise Zone is a 2,000-hectare (4942 acre) industrial park with the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the UK and home to highly skilled advanced manufacturing, including the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre - AMRC Cymru. Snowdonia Enterprise Zone has two unique sites set in the heart of Snowdonia National Park. The Zone’s natural assets and industrial and military heritage combine to offer an ideal and secure environment for low carbon energy, ICT, medical radioisotope and aerospace-related businesses. Civilian and military projects work here side by side, in areas including non-destructive testing and pilot and engineering training.
The Aerospace and Defence sector is flourishing throughout Wales. Over 180 companies employ more than 23,000 people here. Within this thriving industry, Wales provides world- class training, innovation and expertise, from university research to government and private sector projects. It’s a passion for progress; a driving force that has attracted some of the world’s leading companies to Wales- including Babcock, BAE Systems, British Airways, DECA, GE Aviation, General Dynamics, Magellan, Raytheon, Safran, Thales, Triumph and Qioptiq. Additionally, North Wales is home to the Airbus Group civilian aircraft wing plant. Wales can offer some of the highest levels of financial incentives in Europe for existing business looking to expand, for new inward investors and for new start companies. Aerospace Wales ensures that its members are the first to hear about new funding opportunities and can help facilitate grant aid and investment.
AMBASSADORS continued
Dr Rukshan Navaratne
Geraint Spearing
Helen Swift
Rukshan obtained his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Cranfield University and currently working as a Reader and Leading the
Geraint Spearing became the Chief Executive of the Defence Electronics Components Agency (DECA) in Deeside, North Wales upon
Helen Swift is the UK Public Affairs Manager for Airbus’ Research, Technology & Innovation Portfolio across Airbus Commercial
Aerospace Propulsion Research at Cardiff University. Before joining academia, he has spent much of his career working as an Engineer, Project Manager and Senior Executive in aerospace industry. His current research focuses on the development of novel electric propulsion systems, electrical machine modelling, and design optimisation of advanced novel propulsion systems. Rukshan use variety of numerical and experimental tools and techniques to develop propulsion technologies from initial conception through increasing levels of technology readiness with a constant view towards commercialization and real-world use. Also, he is a consultant to several local and international organisations. Rukshan is a Chartered Engineer and Member of IMechE (UK), ASME, and AIAA.
launch of the Agency in April 2015. He took up the position as the CE (designate) in June 2014 where he led the formation of the Agency, during the sale of the Defence Support Group. Prior to this Geraint was Chief Operating Officer of DSG, heading up all UK operations and Corporate Support areas, also holding Executive responsibility for the Operational deployment of DSG in support of Op HERRICK in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Previously, Geraint has headed up various Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities across Wales, including Aircraft Depth Maintenance (incl Harrier, Hawk, Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Fleet) and off-aircraft facilities (incl Structures, Composites, Fuel systems, Transmissions, Transparencies, Egress systems, Manufacturing/Machining, Electronics/Avionics) along with Process Support areas. An experienced Chartered Director and Aerospace Engineer, Geraint is a Fellow of both the Royal Aeronautical Society and Institute of Directors. Geraint is also an MOD Ambassador for Army Civil Servants in Wales, and represents MOD at the UK Government in Wales forums. Geraint has a proven capability of running businesses and corporate support services through strong leadership and change management skills developed over his 28 year career in defence related aerospace businesses.
Aircraft, Defence and Space & Helicopters divisions. She is responsible for supporting the company’s £500m annual R&D investment programme, the development of Airbus’ advanced research facilities and securing long term funding lines which deliver critical technical innovations that grow UK aerospace and defence capabilities, helping the company to remain at the top of an extremely competitive world market. Helen has worked at Airbus for over a decade and has a degree in Public Relations from Bournemouth University.
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