Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Hardide Coatings appoints Rob Holmes as VP Aerospace

Aerospace Defence

Hardide Coatings appoints Rob Holmes as VP Aerospace

Advanced surface coating technology company, Bicester based Hardide Coatings, has appointed Rob Holmes as VP Aerospace as the company targets strategic growth in the aerospace and defence sectors.

Above: Rob Holmes, VP Aerospace, Hardide Coatings Ltd.
Courtesy Hardide Coatings

Rob joins from Nasmyth Group where he spent 10 years in senior business development positions in the global aerospace industry. Most recently he was Aerospace Development Executive responsible for the long-term development of global aerospace markets, specialising in the UK, EU and Asia Pacific. Rob has 25 years of engineering industry experience, of which 17 years is in aerospace. His career has encompassed engineering, project management and senior sales and commercial roles.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Rob will be responsible for developing business opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors for Hardide Coatings’ range of nanostructured tungsten carbide/tungsten metal matrix composite coatings. Aerospace and defence customers currently include Airbus, BAE Systems, Leonardo Helicopters, Lockheed Martin and Triumph Group.

Rob said: “I am pleased to be joining a company with such a strong reputation for technical excellence. The Hardide coating technology allows the aerospace primes to be fully compliant with global and ethical environmental factors while also optimising the performance of parts and reducing operational costs. There are many opportunities in the vast aerospace and associated industries’ supply chain for the coating technology and I am looking forward to supporting its commercial development.”

Philip Kirkham, CEO of Hardide plc commented: “The aerospace and defence sectors are strategic growth areas for the company and Rob’s extensive international experience, knowledge and contacts in our target areas will be a real asset to the company.”

Hardide Coatings is a Hardide plc company. It develops, manufactures and applies advanced technology tungsten/tungsten carbide metal matrix coatings to a wide range of high wear/high value engineering components. Its patented technology is unique in combining, in one material, a mix of toughness and resistance to abrasion, erosion and corrosion; together with the ability to coat accurately interior surfaces and complex geometries. 

The material is proven to offer dramatic improvements in component life, particularly when applied to components that operate in very aggressive environments. This results in cost savings through reduced downtime and increased operational efficiency.  Customers include leading companies operating in oil and gas exploration and the production, valve and pump manufacturing, precision engineering and aerospace industries.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Cranfield recognised with Gold Employer Recognition Award

Aerospace Defence

Cranfield recognised with Gold Employer Recognition Award

30 January 2026

Cranfield University has successfully revalidated its prestigious Gold Employer Recognition Scheme status, awarded by the Ministry of Defence to organisations that support the Armed Forces community and share the values in the Armed Forces Covenant.

IATA reports strong passenger and cargo demand in 2025

Aerospace

IATA reports strong passenger and cargo demand in 2025

29 January 2026

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released 2025 full-year and December 2025 global passenger market and air cargo performance data showing record high demand.

Farnborough International confirms headline speakers for SSWS

Aerospace Events

Farnborough International confirms headline speakers for SSWS

29 January 2026

The first wave of speakers has been announced for the next instalment of Sustainable Skies World Summit (SSWS), taking place 17th–18th March 2026 at Farnborough.

Funding of £20m set to find Britain’s next defence unicorn

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

Funding of £20m set to find Britain’s next defence unicorn

29 January 2026

The search for the UK’s next defence unicorn has kicked off with the launch of a bespoke £20 million fund to offer accelerated contracts to small, innovative British startups who have had limited or no business with the Ministry of Defence.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Metis launches Skyperion Lightweight

Aerospace Defence Security

Metis launches Skyperion Lightweight

29 January 2026

Lincoln based specialists in Radio Frequency (RF) and drone detection technologies, Metis, have launched their latest detection product, Skyperion Lightweight.

WEAF and ADS integrate to create ADS South West

Aerospace

WEAF and ADS integrate to create ADS South West

29 January 2026

The West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), which operates on behalf of the South West’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, will transition to form ADS South West.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
General Atomics LB