Introducing the Aerospace team at Innovate UK
Aerospace The UK aerospace sector is the European leader and global number two with a 17% market share. The sector is growing, with an expected order value exceeding $5 trillion through to 2033. Its strengths include the design and manufacture of some of the most complex and high value components of modern aircraft and rotorcraft. This has created a high tech and high-skill industry of some 3,000+ companies with over 230,000 employees in the UK. Innovate UK has a key role to play in the aerospace innovation landscape in order for the UK to maintain its leading European position and sustainably grow its global market share. We are integral to the successful delivery of the Aerospace Industrial Strategy, as delivery partner with the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). The ATI programme is an unprecedented 2bn investment by government and industry to sustain and grow an internationally competitive aerospace sector in the UK. Through our own aerospace programme we look to accelerate sustainable economic growth by connecting, stimulating and supporting business-led innovation within the UK aerospace sector. Our unique position and capabilities give us the freedom to explore a variety of different industrially focused support mechanisms to aid the translation of research into commercial applications by advancing and de-risking highly innovative technologies in time to meet future market demands. This includes stimulating channels for appropriate knowledge flow between the research base and businesses, providing funding access for small and medium enterprises in a manner that balances relevant technology push with market pull driven by industrial need.
John Laughlin Programme Lead John is the programme lead for Aerospace at Innovate UK. He manages the Innovate UK Aerospace programme and sets strategies to deliver long term growth for the sector. He also leads in the delivery of the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, a 2bn investment by government and industry to sustain and grow an internationally competitive Aerospace sector in the UK. John joined Innovate UK in 2009 as programme manager of the Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme (IDP). John grew the IDP from its inception into a highly successful component of the automotive industry s growth in low carbon vehicles. He developed the strategies for the programme and launched over 130 projects worth in excess of 300m. John Laughlin Prior to Innovate UK, John worked for Transport for London where he delivered part of the Olympic transport strategy. John also held a number of engineering and programme management positions in the automotive industry at Visteon and was responsible for the delivery of all powertrain and interior products in Europe for both Toyota and Honda. He is a chartered engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology and project management practitioner with the Association for Project Management. Email: John.laughlin@Innovateuk.gov.uk LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/jslaughlin/
Justin Davies-Trigg Portfolio Manager Justin joined Innovate UK in early 2013 as Portfolio Manager, Aerospace. He is responsible for the delivery of the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Industrial Strategy Programme and Innovate UK HITEA programmes; including key public sector and industrial stakeholder management, carried out alongside the Lead Technologist and Programme Lead. Through his role Justin represents the Innovate UK commitment to supporting the UK Aerospace Industry through informing strategy by in depth knowledge of the Aerospace portfolio and its technologies; and proactive engagement with industry partners. Justin reports to the Programme Lead, Aerospace. Justin Davies-Trigg Previous to joining Innovate UK, Justin spent 10 years in the Aerospace sector in various technical and management roles working for major Aerospace 1st Tier suppliers on a range of Airbus programmes; A320 NEO, A400M and A350. Most notably this work was carried out whilst in the employment of Assystem UK, but also included GKN, Zodiac Aircraft Seating and secondment to Spirit Aerosystems Europe. Justin also has experience in the Static Display and Conservation of Historic Aircraft, with examples of his work on public display at Airspace, IWM Duxford, and Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow. Email: justin.davies-trigg@innovateuk.gov.uk Twitter: @DaviesTrigg LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/pub/justin-davies-trigg
Simon Masters Lead Technologist Simon joined Innovate UK in January 2014 as the Lead Technologist for Aerospace. He has responsibility for technical aspects relating to the Aerospace Technology Institute programme. This includes managing the assessment process for new projects and providing key advice to government and industry stakeholders. Responsible for running the Innovate UK Highly Innovative Technology Enablers in Aerospace (HITEA) programme, he works with other members of the team to develop a coherent and visionary technical strategy to drive growth and innovation across the Aerospace sector. Prior to joining Innovate UK, Simon held a number of key positions within the civil and military aerospace sectors. In particular, he worked as the Head of Fuel Systems R&T for Airbus, managing a significant portfolio of funded research projects and working with a global network of suppliers and research partners. Wider aerospace experience was gained during his time with BAE SYSTEMS where he worked on the Eurofighter Typhoon programme as a Flight Test Engineer. Simon Masters Email: simon.masters@innovateuk.gov.uk
Dr John Morlidge Project Lead John is the Project Lead for Aerospace at Innovate UK. He leads on strategy for the Innovate UK Aerospace programme and supports the delivery of the Aerospace Technology Institute programme, a 2bn investment by government and industry to grow the competitive position of the UK aerospace sector. John joined Innovate UK in 2009 as Lead Technologist for Advanced Materials. His technical expertise is in materials science and instrumentation, specialising in structural heath monitoring and the prevention of corrosion and degradation of materials in demanding environments. He is a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. John Morlidge Prior to joining Innovate UK, John spent more than 15 years in the private sector working in a variety of roles including engineering consultancy, technology transfer, business development and strategic management positions. Email: john.morlidge@innovateuk.gov.uk LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/jrmorlidge/
James Currer Project Analyst James joined Innovate UK in May 2014 as a project analyst within an Aerospace team expanding to meet the needs of industry through Innovate UK support and delivery of the ATI programme. This role covers a range of activities from market analysis to competition scoping to data analysis and reporting on various funding portfolios. Before joining Innovate UK James gained experience delivering a wide variety of projects in multiple industries including automotive engineering with Ricardo, civil engineering with CrossRail, and a few in financial services. Email: james.currer@innovateuk.gov.uk LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/jamescurrer James Currer
Selina So Project Analyst Selina joined Innovate UK in May 2014 as a Project Analyst, Aerospace. She is responsible for supporting the Aerospace team on delivering the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Industrial Strategy Programme and Innovate UK HITEA programmes and monitoring the expansive Aerospace portfolio; underpinning the portfolio reporting to the major stakeholders. Prior to joining Innovate UK, Selina worked for Atkins Aerospace to help manage the delivery of various significant aerospace projects. She has also spent time in various technical and business roles on programmes for defence helicopter engines with Rolls Royce and A350 with Magellan. Selina So Email: selina.so@innovateuk.gov.uk Twitter: @SoselinaSo LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/pub/selina-so