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
ODU RT

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
FIA2026 animated banner
Aurrigo opens advanced engineering hub in Coventry

Aerospace

Aurrigo opens advanced engineering hub in Coventry

22 April 2026

Provider of fully autonomous vehicles and mobile robotics platforms, Aurrigo, has announced the opening of its new UK Hub facility, marking a major milestone in the company’s growth and manufacturing capability.

Chapman Freeborn strengthens European passenger division

Aerospace

Chapman Freeborn strengthens European passenger division

22 April 2026

Chapman Freeborn has strengthened its European passenger division with new leadership appointments aimed at supporting growth across the region.

Aerospace Bristol appoints Lloyd Hughes as first COO

Aerospace

Aerospace Bristol appoints Lloyd Hughes as first COO

22 April 2026

Aerospace Bristol has appointed Lloyd Hughes as its first ever chief operating officer (COO), marking a significant milestone in the museum's development as it pursues its ambitious ten-year strategy to double visitor numbers and grow its commercial operations.

Hexagon unveils laser tech for aerospace inspections

Aerospace

Hexagon unveils laser tech for aerospace inspections

22 April 2026

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence Business Area today unveiled new laser-guided solutions that make it possible – in some cases for the first time – to automate inaccessible and large-scale quality inspections in labour-intensive operations such as aircraft assembly.

Advertisement
ODU RT
GKN Aerospace awarded Rolls-Royce engine repair contract

Aerospace

GKN Aerospace awarded Rolls-Royce engine repair contract

21 April 2026

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a new five-year contract with Rolls-Royce covering fan blade repairs for the RB211-535, Trent 700 and Trent 800 engine programmes.

AerFin launches V2500 engine support capability

Aerospace

AerFin launches V2500 engine support capability

21 April 2026

AerFin has announced the launch of its V2500 engine support capability, expanding its engine MRO offering and reinforcing its position in the global aviation aftermarket.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner