Burnley’s aerospace skills making ‘a real difference’

By Ged Henderson

18 Jul 2019

img_3856.jpg

The strength of Burnley’s aerospace industry and the skills of its workforce were highlighted at the launch of the latest issue of Lancashire Business View.

Michael Rigalle, managing director of Safran Nacelles, one of the borough’s advanced manufacturing big hitters, told the networking event that the area’s knowledge made “a real difference”.

He added: “The workforce is very open to new innovations and technologies. We are not scared of it here, we embrace it.”

Part of an international high-tech group operating in the aerospace and defence markets, Safran Nacelles can trace its history in the town back seven decades.

Today it employs 750 people in the town and has a £12m investment programme planned over the next four years.

Michael, who was appointed managing director for the site at the end of last year, was speaking as part of a panel discussing the challenges and opportunities for the borough at the event held at Prairie Sports Village and sponsored by Burnley Council.

Mick Cartledge, chief executive of the council, spoke of the collaborative approach in the borough, including the highly-acclaimed Bondholders group. He said: “We work together in so many different ways.”

He also pointed to the work taking place in the town centre as Burnley looks to become a university town.

Claire Whelan, director of BCW Manufacturing group, and Chris Speakman, director of Speakman Contractors, highlighted the skills and recruitment challenges facing the area and their businesses.

Burnley College principal Karen Buchanan said that it was working along with UCLan to grow degree apprenticeships, adding: “That is really important for local employers.”

David Lawson, director at DRN Solicitors, said the image of Burnley was changing and improving. He told the 80-strong audience: “The image we now portray is very positive. The council is doing a lot with that and this is a good place to work and to live.”

The networking event also heard from Peter Slater and Steve Turner, chief operating officer and chief executive at CMAC Group.

They shared the story of the growth of the Accrington-based provider of emergency ground transport and accommodation solutions.

And they revealed the role it played in the wake of the 2017 collapse of airline Monarch in what became the biggest repatriation of UK citizens in peace time.

Technology has played a central role in CMAC’s development and today the business employs 200 people and has a £70m turnover.

A full interview with the pair, plus an in-depth look at Burnley, including interviews with Claire Whelan and Michael Rigalle, can be found in the current issue of Lancashire Business View, which is out now. Click here to buy.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

2

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

3

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion Laurence Tan (Investment Associate, Praetura Ventures); Charlie Morris (Director, Corporate Finance (Mergers & Acquisitions); Ian Rose (Chairman, Audiebant); Josh Dean (CEO, Audiebant); Peter Carway (Investment Director, Praetura Ventures)

Communications company raises investment will fuel global expansion

10 Jul 2025

4

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker Joan Casals, Max McFarlane and Chris Pateman

Lancaster Spirits Company announces partnership with leading whisky maker

09 Jul 2025

5

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project Rebecca Latham, Gemma Cornwall and Ross Cornwall

Viridium appointed to support Indurent with major warehouse decarbonisation project

09 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin