First chairperson appointed for £2bn Aerospace Technology Institute
This is being created as part of the UK Aerospace Industrial Strategy, published by the AGP last March.
The ATI will see industry and Government jointly invest just over £2 billion in aerospace research and development (R&D) over the next seven years. This is a key part of the strategy to maintain the competitiveness of the UK aerospace industry in the face of increasing global competition and technological change. The ATI brings businesses up and down the supply chain together with academia to develop world-class technology that builds on the sector’s strengths.
This will ensure the UK is well placed to compete for high value work on future aircraft programmes, taking advantage of the huge growth opportunities that are forecast for aerospace. It is predicted that some 29,000 large passenger aircraft worth almost $4.5 trillion are needed within the next 20 years. This could see UK secure up to 115,000 high value jobs in the aerospace sector and its supply chain.
Stephen Henwood (right), the new chair of the Aerospace Technology Institute commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Aerospace Technology Institute at this early stage in its development. The commitment of industry and government to its mission and funding has the potential to secure the future of this critical UK capability. I look forward to working towards realising that potential.”
Data released recently by aerospace trade organisation, ADS Group revealed that 2013 was a record year for the aerospace industry, with orders for commercial aircrafts increasing by more than a quarter (28%) compared to the previous year. Continued innovation and the ongoing development of new technology will be critical in ensuring the UK sustains and builds on this success into the future. In doing so, the sector will support many thousands of high value, skilled jobs in the UK for the long term.
Marcus Bryson, CEO of GKN Aerospace and Land Systems, president of Aerospace trade organisation ADS and co-chair of the Aerospace Growth Partnership commented:
“It is with enormous pleasure that I welcome Stephen Henwood as the new chair of the ATI. Stephen brings a wealth of industrial experience and a great understanding of the workings of Government. This experience will be critical in ensuring that ATI delivers the differentiating technologies that will allow UK aerospace companies to remain at the forefront of the global industry.”
Business Minister and AGP co-chair Michael Fallon said: “The job of leading the Aerospace Technology Institute is a pivotal one. The ATI will develop technology for the next generation of quieter, faster, more energy and environmentally friendly planes. Getting this right will mean more of the research and development needed to win work on the planes and helicopters of the future happens in the UK.
“Stephen Henwood brings plenty of industry experience to what promises to be one of the most exciting jobs in aerospace – a sector that has massive growth potential, and where the UK has genuine scope to secure many billions of pounds worth of new advanced manufacturing work.”
On 25 February, Mr Henwood will speak at the inaugural Aerospace Growth Partnership Technology Showcase, which will be delivered by the Aerospace Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN). This unique two day event, hosted at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre, London, will articulate the plan to grow the UK share of the growing aerospace market through investment in technology. The Aerospace Technology Institute will be a critical mechanism towards achieving this ambition.
