ADS Welcomes David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock as new President; Safran’s Nigel Woodford as Aerospace VP; and Airbus’ John Harrison as new ADS Board Member
- David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock joins ADS as new President
- Safran’s Nigel Woodford has joined the ADS Board as VP Aerospace, while Airbus’ John Harrison has joined the ADS Board
- New members are the latest industry leaders to steer the UK trade association in its mission to secure UK advantage in advanced manufacturing sectors
ADS, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors, has today announced the appointment of David Lockwood, CEO of Babcock, as their new President.
With an exceptional track record in leading high-performing organisations, Lockwood serves as CEO of Babcock, a leading aerospace and defence company. His strategic vision and deep understanding of the UK’s advanced manufacturing industries will be invaluable in driving forward ADS’ mission to secure UK advantage in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Commenting on the appointment, Lockwood stated:
“I’m delighted to join ADS as President, working with the Board and ADS team members to deliver for the UK’s advanced manufacturing sectors. Aerospace, defence, security and space contribute £37 billion in value add to the UK economy, and in light of an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment the work of ADS is even more pivotal than ever to secure UK advantage.”
ADS Board to gain two further members
Nigel Woodford, UK Managing Director for Safran, also joins the ADS Board as Vice-President, Aerospace. Woodford's extensive background in the aerospace sector, combined with his strong leadership skills, will play a crucial role in advancing ADS Group's mission to foster innovation and collaboration within the industry.
“I’m delighted to join ADS as VP for aerospace in this important year for our industry. As we prepare for the Farnborough International Airshow 2024, the sector is at a critical juncture as we ramp up production, deliver on critical workforce shortages, and invest in the resilience of our supply chains.”
Further joining the ADS Board is John Harrison, Airbus’ General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and a member of the Airbus Executive Committee since June 2015. John has served as Chairman of Airbus UK since January 2019 and as Head of Airbus Public Affairs since January 2024. He is an accomplished leader in the aerospace industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organisation. His expertise will contribute significantly to ADS Group's strategic decision-making and industry advocacy efforts.
“I am pleased to be joining the ADS leadership at such a challenging but exciting time for our sectors in the UK. We have the privilege of representing an essential industry that provides some of the most high value jobs, transformative technology and resilient productivity in the nation.”
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, "We are delighted to welcome David, John, and Nigel to the ADS Board. Their collective expertise, industry knowledge, and strategic vision will be instrumental in driving the growth and success of our sectors. With their invaluable contributions, our ability to advance the UK's aerospace, defence, security, and space industries is strengthened, further cementing the UK’s position as global leaders."