Watchtower looks to the future

By Ged Henderson

24 Nov 2022

bae-systems-samlesbury.jpg

Andrew Schofield of the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) explains the £1m Watchtower initiative in one sentence: “We are trying to keep Lancashire ahead of the game”.

Launched earlier this year, the pioneering programme is looking to support development and growth in the vitally important aerospace and advanced engineering and manufacturing industries across the county.

Born out of the Covid-19 pandemic and the huge damage it inflicted, Watchtower is a collaboration between Lancashire County Council and NWAA and includes big hitters such as BAE Systems, Safran Nacelles and Rolls-Royce.

There are several strands to the project. It will use local industry knowledge to support aerospace suppliers as they stabilise, recover, and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, it aims to identify organisations that will benefit the most from “tailored, coordinated business support” and help them access the right type for them.

The two-year programme also includes an intelligence function to identify and protect Lancashire’s key aerospace assets and businesses.

There will be a talent retention service to help people who have lost skilled jobs in aerospace to find new work. Diversification is also part of the brief.

Support will be there for businesses to find new contracts which fit their manufacturing capabilities both nationally and internationally. They will also get help to innovate and develop new products or ways of working.

On top of that, a campaign will reinforce the message that Lancashire is a “perfect location” for aerospace and advanced manufacturing businesses looking for somewhere where they can grow.

The funding is part of the county council’s £12.8m Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund – specifically targeting some of the economic impacts of Covid-19.

At its launch earlier this year, Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, explained: “We want to support AEM businesses to be competitive, innovative and financially sound to ensure they can successfully recover from the pandemic and thrive.

“The county council’s financial contribution will support 40 aerospace supply chain SMEs, help safeguard and create 200 jobs, and bring in £30m of revenue into the county.”

Addison Precision in Thornton-Cleveleys hosted the launch. Mark Verdon, managing director of the engineering company, said: “The past two years have been extremely challenging to the aerospace sector, and we have had to adapt and diversify our operations further to accommodate these challenges.

“This has led us in some interesting directions and processes as we look to the future, and this is something we have to continue to  explore. The Watchtower project looks like it will provide some much welcome support for us in this endeavour.”

Professor Schofield, who became chair of NWAA earlier this year, believes the two-year project will act as a catalyst to inspire growth and investment and is just the beginning.

He says: “We are hoping Watchtower starts a journey that will really strengthen Lancashire’s ability to respond to changes in technology. The agenda is going to continue way into the future, the issues are not going to go away.

“We are looking at what we can build on in Lancashire to make sure that investment and employment takes place here.

“We have to make sure that key decision makers in the UK and in industry really understand what’s happening in Lancashire, the components we have and why they should both be investing here.”

A big part of Watchtower’s brief is to look at advancements in technology and the processes needed to support and grow businesses.

Andrew says that one of the challenges is to show that major Lancashire assets such as the AMRC North West and its highly rated universities are not there just for the big companies but can help its SMEs improve their productivity and grow.

Paula Gill, who became chief executive of NWAA in April, also believes engaging with the supply chain will be vital for the success of the programme. She adds: “The development of technologies also runs alongside the development of skills in the sector and that is really important.”

David Bailey, a former chief executive of NWAA, is heavily involved in Watchtower though his support company Aerospace Consulting. His organisation was brought in  as part of an aerospace task force created in the wake of Covid, which triggered a massive downturn in the civil sector. Watchtower has grown out of that.

He says: “It became obvious early on that something needed to be done. While initially we looked at aerospace it was felt something was needed across all advanced manufacturing and engineering.

“What is important about Watchtower is that it is helping us to prepare for what new technologies and what new programmes come next.”

He says: “Getting Lancashire companies to work with Lancashire centres of excellence to get an economic benefit has to be the right thing to do.

“The Watchtower programme is about helping companies identify the right organisations, programmes, project and services that can support them and are really going to help them move forward with their businesses.

“All this is important because Lancashire is at the heart of the largest manufacturing region in the UK.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 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

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

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

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

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