BAE director to chair NW Aerospace Alliance

Professor Andy Schofield, who is director of programme technology integration at BAE Systems, has been appointed as the chair of the North West Aerospace Alliance.

The organisation represents more than 220 members, which accounts for around 25 per cent of the UK aerospace industry, contributing around £7bn to the UK economy. The North West region the largest air sector industry cluster in Europe.

Andy replaces outgoing chair Neil McKay, who left at the end of 2021 after 25 years with the NWAA. He brings more than 40 years of engineering experience to the role, including involvement in a number of advisory groups in the UK.

He said: "The work the Alliance does in supporting its members has a significant impact on the success and prominence of our region as an industrial force in the UK’s aerospace sector.

"Here in the North West we have a strong industrial heritage that we are keen to see grow well into the future; ensuring that as a region we remain at the forefront of aerospace innovation and continue to produce the skilled workforce with the technical expertise required to succeed."

Sharon McDonald, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance said: "Andy has the knowledge, experience and credentials required to take forward the excellent work of Neil McKay and lead NWAA into the future."

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