Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Sir Michael Ryan CBE appointed AGP Industry Chair

Aerospace

Sir Michael Ryan CBE appointed AGP Industry Chair

Sir Michael Ryan CBE, Vice President and General Manager of Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, has been appointed as the Industry Chair of the Aerospace Growth Partnership (AGP).

Above: Sir Michael Ryan CBE.
Courtesy Spirit AeroSystems

Sir Michael’s appointment follows the retirement of Colin Smith CBE, who concluded his very successful five-year term as the Chair of the partnership in December 2021.

Colin Smith welcomes Sir Michael to the role: “It’s been a privilege to lead the Aerospace Growth Partnership on behalf of the UK aerospace industry for the last five years, I’ve enjoyed working with the Government on many important issues such as the supply chain, skills and training, and especially the significant investment in technology through the Aerospace Technology Institute, needed for the decarbonisation of our sector. Sir Michael will do a fantastic job taking the AGP to its next phase and I wish him the best of luck.”

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

On his appointment, Sir Michael Ryan said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to represent the UK aerospace industry as the industry Chair of the AGP. The future of our industry is a matter very close to my heart and I’m looking forward to continuing the work of Colin and the team on our Jet Zero future and maintaining our position as one of the leading aerospace nations in the world.”

Sir Michael Ryan was born in Belfast in 1959. He graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast in 1981 with an honours degree in aeronautical engineering, and joined Short Brothers the same year. Prior to and following Bombardier’s acquisition of Shorts in 1989, he held various senior management positions, including in advanced composites production, fabrications and procurement.

In May 2000, he was appointed vice-president and general manager of Bombardier’s Belfast operations, and in July 2017 became President of the Canadian corporation’s aerostructures business. In 2020, he helped manage the Belfast operation’s successful transition to the new ownership of Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems.

He was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours List in 2005, and in 2009 received an Honorary Doctorate from Queen’s University Belfast for services to business and commerce, followed by an Honorary Doctorate in 2015 from Ulster University for service to business and corporate social responsibility. In 2021 he was knighted for his services to the economy.

Sir Michael is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Married with three children, he enjoys sports, reading and listening to music.

 

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport sees busiest ever June

8 July 2025

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has had its busiest June ever, with a record 1,360,957 passengers travelling through the airport last month.

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

Aerospace Events

Advanced Engineering 2025 extends additives and composites spotlight

7 July 2025

Taking place on 29th and 30th October 2025 at the NEC Birmingham, Advanced Engineering will have a new expanded Composites Pavilion, SME Village, the ADS Pavilion, AM2 Forum (Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Forum) and a focused Electronics Zone.

CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

Aerospace

CAA appoints experts to strengthen economic regs and growth

7 July 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has appointed a team of specialists at the forefront of economics and competition policy to provide strategic advice to the aviation regulator on economic regulation and the challenges and opportunities in enabling the aviation sector to transform and grow.

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

Aerospace

Skyports and Ajman Transport to advance AAM in Ajman

7 July 2025

Ajman Transport Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Skyports Infrastructure, with the aim of exploring opportunities for cooperation in the field of advanced air mobility (AAM) for smart aerial transport, including air taxi services, in the Emirate.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT
IASL trials AGlaze Aviation Sealant

Aerospace

IASL trials AGlaze Aviation Sealant

7 July 2025

Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), operating as Maldivian, has become the second floatplane operator to trial the AGlaze Aviation Sealant product, with AGlaze International Ltd and Gryphon Aviation Partners (UK) Ltd reporting it is already delivering positive results.

Birmingham Airport supports young care experienced adults into work

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport supports young care experienced adults into work

7 July 2025

Birmingham Airport has supported care experienced young adults into work, as part of a specialised Midlands-wide initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT