The new chairman of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has been named as Graham Chisnall.

The highly experienced sector veteran has occupied senior roles with British Aerospace (BAe), GKN Aerospace and ADS. He replaces Sir Donald Spiers who retired from the role at FAC after almost 20 years.

Chisnall says the sector will climb out of its current trough, but it will take time and many businesses will have to hunker down and concentrate on survival. However, he says that the UK’s aerospace sector is one of the country’s few global industries that remains competitive and is well placed to recover.

“I was very pleased and proud to be asked to follow Sir Donald who I knew from business; he will be hard act to follow,” stated Chisnall (pictured). “I also know David Barnes, the chief executive, and am aware of the work FAC does and how it benefits its members.

“It has a good relationship with ADS, the national association, and has done significant work since Covid grounded the sector. Along with ADS, FAC administers NATEP, the programme that funds research and development projects for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This could be crucial for companies which want to hold onto their skilled engineers as they wait for commercial flying to resume.

“As well as funding, membership of FAC brings access to market intelligence and information, helps members win business and offers networking opportunities. It brings large companies together with those smaller businesses in the supply chain and is the recognised voice of SMEs within the sector. FAC also has a large presence at the Farnborough International Airshow and we are all hoping that in 2022 the show will bring plenty of business.

“There is a lot of work to do but I remain confident that aerospace will recover. Somethings will have changed for good, but people will always want to travel.”

David Barnes, FAC’s chief executive, added: “There are few people who could follow Sir Donald, but Graham is one of them. His career in aerospace means he understands exactly what the sector is facing, and how best it can recover. I very much look forward to working with him as we try and help the industry get flying again.”

www.fac.org.uk

 

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