Nick Lester appointed Head of Airworthiness for Morson Praxis DOA

Nick Lester has been appointed Head of Airworthiness for the Morson Praxis UK CAA DOA, taking on the safety-critical remit alongside his existing role as Chief Engineer Structures & Certification within the Aerospace & Defence division of the engineering consultancy.

The Morson Praxis UK CAA DOA enables the consultancy to independently design, analyse and certify modifications to civil aircraft structures, cabins, electrical and avionic systems across both large and small aircraft and rotorcraft. Nick’s appointment recognises his extensive experience across aerospace engineering, structural integrity and airworthiness, while reinforcing the close alignment between Morson Praxis’ engineering capability and the evolving regulatory landscape that governs civil aviation safety.

Technical quality support for major aerospace programmes

A former Chief Stress Engineer at MBDA, Nick has held senior engineering positions supporting major aerospace programmes during his 21-year aviation engineering career, including development of the CAMM-ER missile and the Landceptor defence system, design of the Airbus A350 Wing Fixed Leading and Trailing Edges, Type Certification and subsequent modifications to the AW189 helicopter and development of the Bloodhound supersonic car.

In his current role as Chief Engineer Structures & Certification at Morson Praxis, Nick is responsible for technical quality across a range of aerospace programmes, supporting organisations including Vertical Aerospace, Leonardo Helicopters, DRAKEN Europe and Marshall Aerospace.

Meeting CAA safety and regulatory requirements

As Head of Airworthiness within the DOA, Nick will play an important role in helping ensure aircraft design, modification and certification activities continue to meet the UK CAA’s rigorous safety and regulatory requirements. The position provides technical oversight of airworthiness compliance, engineering assurance and regulatory alignment, while acting as a key interface with the Civil Aviation Authority on matters relating to airworthiness and aviation safety.

Nick said: “In my role at Morson Praxis, I am part of a team applying technical consultancy to help clients address complex engineering challenges and turn specialist knowledge into practical outcomes. I am delighted to be able to leverage that knowledge and experience in my new role within the DOA, which will enable me to play an active role in supporting safe innovation, maintaining confidence in UK aviation, and ensuring high standards of airworthiness across all projects and customers.”

Nick’s appointment enhances Morson Praxis’ capability as a specialist engineering consultancy for the aviation sector. A CAA-approved Part 21 Design Organisation, the business supports a wide range of aerospace and defence organisations with engineering consultancy across aircraft design, modification, certification, continuing airworthiness and complex technical assurance.

Becky Veal, Divisional Director – Aerospace & Defence at Morson Praxis, said: “Nick’s appointment reflects both his outstanding technical expertise and the calibre of engineering talent within Morson Praxis. It also strengthens our ability to support clients operating in highly regulated aerospace environments, where technical excellence, independent assurance and a thorough understanding of regulatory expectations are critical to programme success.”