Britten-Norman appoints Richard Milne as COO

Above: Richard Milne, Chief Operating Officer at Britten-Norman.
Courtesy Britten-Norman    
        
The role has been created to provide key focus on efficient execution of deliveries, accelerating the company’s growth plans and scaling engineering operations and output.
 
Milne brings more than 30 years of aerospace leadership and expertise to the business, most recently serving as Manufacturing Engineering Director at GKN Aerospace. Having started his career as an aircraft fitter at Marshalls of Cambridge, Milne has since excelled in a multi-disciplinary engineering career that has involved leadership positions across aerospace design, maintenance and manufacturing.
 
Chair of Britten-Norman’s Board, Alison Rankin Frost said: “Richard’s expertise in both aircraft design and production will be instrumental as Britten-Norman strengthens and modernises its manufacturing capability. We are delighted to have him join the leadership team at such a pivotal time for the company.”

As COO, Milne will oversee all day-to-day engineering operations at Britten-Norman, including design, manufacturing, supply chain, and aircraft maintenance operations, ensuring engineering and programme delivery are closely integrated. His priorities will include driving greater efficiency with on-time delivery of aircraft and aftermarket support whilst maintaining world-class safety standards and the exceptional build quality and durability for which the Islander is world-renowned.

“I am honoured to take on the role of COO of such a prestigious business at as it enters this new and exciting chapter,” said Milne. “Alongside the Senior Leadership Team and the Board, I look forward to helping steer the company through its next phase of growth – contributing to setting the strategic direction while also ensuring we deliver operational excellence. Together, we will strengthen Britten-Norman’s engineering capability and deliver the next generation of Islanders and Defenders to our global customers.”
        
Britten-Norman is a UK-based aircraft manufacturer and a global leader in sub-regional aviation, best known for the Islander, a rugged twin-engine Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft. The company has produced around 1,300 aircraft, with 97% exported to commercial, government and military operators worldwide. Operating as an SME on the UK south coast, Britten-Norman provides in-house design, manufacturing and through-life support, while supporting a global operator network in over 120 countries.