Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace Defence Space

Airframe Designs creates Advisory Board

Aerospace specialist Airframe Designs has created an Advisory Board to support strategic growth as it expands its services in engineering and additive manufacturing to the aviation, defence and space sectors.

Above: (left to right) Jeff Cheetham, Jerrod Hartley and Gary Lumby.
Courtesy Airframe Designs

The Advisory Board will be chaired by Gary Lumby, a seasoned business advisor with extensive experience in guiding companies through growth phases.

His background in banking led him to being awarded an MBE for Services to the Finance Industry. He is also a growth expert on the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Programme working with Oxford University Business School.

Advertisement
ODU RT

He is joined by Jeff Cheetham, whose expertise in engineering and business development further strengthens the board’s capabilities. With diverse experience in delivering growth and operational performance, he has worked at various strategic management levels for BAE Systems and is a non-executive director of the North West Aerospace Alliance.

The creation of the Advisory Board marks a significant milestone for Airframe Designs, which has seen substantial growth in the recent past, expanding to nearly 30 staff members.

Jerrod Hartley, CEO of Airframe Designs, said: “Gary and Jeff’s combined experience and insight will be invaluable as we continue to scale our operations and expand our service offerings.

“The board will play a crucial role in refining our business planning, growth strategy, and ensuring we remain accountable to our high standards of governance.”

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

Airframe Designs has earned a reputation for delivering optimal engineering solutions for mechanical structures, with a strong emphasis on new design, modifications, repairs and reverse engineering, as well as providing advanced additive manufacturing services.

With polymer additive manufacturing technology, combined with 3D scanning and 3D modelling, Airframe Designs offers creative solutions to complex engineering problems in the aviation and defence part market, including solutions for airframe tooling. This technology can also be adapted for other industries including space, nuclear, motorsport and rail.

Recent projects undertaken by Airframe Designs include the design and manufacture of several 3D printed tooling fixtures to aid the installation of external sensors onto the fuselage of a special mission military aircraft and the integration of new systems into heavy lift drone platforms.

The company has also been responsible for the conceptual design at a platform level for new uncrewed air-systems, test rig and tooling for electric vehicle propulsion systems and most recently the design and analysis of operator consoles for a special mission aircraft.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

Aerospace Defence

Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

16 December 2025

Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP visited GE Aerospace’s Filton facility last week (Thursday 11th December) to see how UK-engineered artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are helping to transform aircraft engine inspection and reinforce Britain’s position as a global centre of advanced aviation services.

Altus to showcase advanced solutions at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026

Aerospace Defence Events

Altus to showcase advanced solutions at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026

16 December 2025

Distributor of advanced electronics manufacturing equipment in the UK and Ireland, Altus Group, will return to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics from 3rd-5th February 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, to showcase a range of advanced process technologies from global suppliers.

Wallwork returning to Southern Manufacturing 2026

Aerospace Defence Events

Wallwork returning to Southern Manufacturing 2026

15 December 2025

Wallwork Group will be returning to Southern Manufacturing 2026 - being held 3rd–5th February 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre - with a significantly expanded capability, showcasing the hard coatings, heat treatments and advanced thermal processing solutions they supply.

Spaceport Cornwall and National Drone Hub launch UAS project

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Spaceport Cornwall and National Drone Hub launch UAS project

15 December 2025

The UK's first licensed spaceport, Spaceport Cornwall, has commenced work on a groundbreaking project with the National Drone Hub to establish a unique testing environment for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
Smiths Detection’s SDX 100100 DV HC on TSA ACSTL

Aerospace Security

Smiths Detection’s SDX 100100 DV HC on TSA ACSTL

15 December 2025

Smiths Detection's SDX 100100 DV HC X-ray scanner has been added to the Transportation Security Administration’s Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL), enabling its use by regulated operators across the US air cargo sector.

UK Government invests in next generation of aviators

Aerospace

UK Government invests in next generation of aviators

12 December 2025

Projects to inspire the next generation of aviators across the UK are set to get a boost as the Government today announced a £750,000 boost to projects inspiring young people to explore careers in aviation.

Advertisement
ODU RT