Latest News

South West Aerospace thriving with Virtual Reality and international investment

Airbus developing VR suite and Wing Integration centre

Region building on investment with aerospace giants

The South West aerospace cluster, one of the largest in Europe, is open for international business with all six Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) in the South West attending the Farnborough International Airshow from 11 to 17 July 2016.

“The show offers companies from our region an opportunity to showcase products and capabilities to an international audience,” said Barry Warburton, Aerospace Sector Specialist for Invest Bristol & Bath, “and although the issues around Brexit are not far from our thoughts, the South West aerospace cluster remains a leading destination for global investment due to our strengths in cutting-edge technologies and leading talent pool that supports the aerospace agenda internationally.”

The South West continues to attract investment in what is a challenging time for the UK’s aerospace industry.   Just this year Airbus announced its plans to open a new ‘state of the art’ Wing Integration Centre at Filton, which is due to open in 2018, and a new Virtual Reality (VR) suite, which was commissioned in April 2016.

The VR suite builds on the capabilities in the region, which has a growing reputation as the European HQ for VR.

“Virtual reality offers a huge opportunity for the aerospace industry,” says Ben Trewhella, MD of Opposable Group and VR World Congress.   “VR technology offers an innovative solution for the aerospace industry to test and train in a safe and cost effective environment. Throw in the leading-edge work being done across the region including robotics and composites and the South West is a global destination for investment.”

A view that is echoed by John Pritchard, CEO Aerostructures Europe (GKN Aerospace),  who sits on the  West of England LEP Board;  â€œThe South West is home to all 15 international giants of aerospace and a strong network of world-class supply chain companies which today is worth over £7bn. In partnership with our inward investment partners from across the region, we will be flying the flag for the South West ensuring we remain the leading aerospace cluster in Europe and beyond.

Back to latest news >
Archives
OUR BOARD

Comprised of business leaders from across our key sectors, the LEP Board oversees the programme of infrastructure, business support and skills projects being delivered by 2025.

Find out more about our board >

LEP board meetings & documents >

Sign up to Newsletter >

Newsletter Sign-up






    Complete the short form and we will add you to our mailing list.

    We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp in the USA for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.

    Business engagement is really important to us. We handle and process all personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations. For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

    Send us a message


      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.