At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top Hampshire based Director operating in the Aerospace space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Peter Lynas
Group Finance Director of BAE Systems
Peter, who was appointed Group Finance Director in April 2011, is responsible for the Company’s overall financial operations Peter’s early career was spent at De La Rue Systems, which he joined as a trainee accountant, and included a posting in Madrid. He joined GEC Marconi in 1985 as a financial accountant. In 1998, he was appointed Finance Director of Marconi Electronic Systems, and served on the Boards of Marconi’s joint venture companies Alenia Marconi Systems and Matra Marconi Space. He was appointed Director of Financial Control for BAE Systems in 1999 and his key responsibilities were driving operational performance through the business planning processes, financial and business plan reporting, Group financial and risk management controls, and review and appraisal of mergers and acquisitions activities. He was responsible for the Group’s external financial reporting and Treasury function. Peter has served as chairman of one of the BAE Systems’ pension schemes trustee boards and a former non-executive director of NNC Ltd. Peter is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. He was appointed a non-executive director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of SSE plc in July 2014.
Follow Peter Lynas:
About BAE Systems: BAE Systems designs, develops, and supports defense and aerospace systems used in the air, on land, at sea, and in space.
Mark Winzar
Director, Sales & Technical Services of Jet Support Services
Mark Winzar brings many years of aviation experience to his role as Vice President, Technical Services. He began his aviation career as a helicopter engineer in the UK. He spent eight years specializing in military helicopters with the UK Ministry of Defense. From there, he moved into commercial business before joining the BBA central sales team at H+S Aviation. During this time, he was responsible for generating business on all engine types covered within the BBA group. After four years, Mr. Winzar was promoted to Commercial Manager and was part of the team that set up the new PWC JT15D program at H+S, the company’s first fan engine type. He was also responsible for the combined commercial operations of both the Field Service and JT15D programs. Mr. Winzar joined JSSI in 2009 as a Technical Services Representative and was promoted to Technical Services Manager two years later. Mr. Winzar was integral in setting up the JSSI office in Hong Kong and expanding our business in Asia. In 2013, Mr. Winzar was promoted and was responsible for new business development and Technical Services as Director of the EMEAA region. Today, he is responsible for leadership of the JSSI Worldwide Technical Services Team.
Follow Mark Winzar:
About Jet Support Services, Jet Support Services: JSSI is an aviation solutions provider that delivers superior service, innovative products and business solutions to the aviation industry.
Gerry Skelton
Human Resources Director of NATS
Gerry has over 20 years’ experience as an HR practitioner across a range of industries within the UK and internationally. The industry sectors he has experience in include: rail freight, electronics, textiles, retailing, passenger transport and the gas, oil and petroleum sectors.
Follow Gerry Skelton:
About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Simon Warr
Communication Director of NATS
Formerly, he was Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Jaguar Land Rover. During his three years at Jaguar Land Rover he led a global team of 80 and was responsible for all company internal and external communications, as well as reputation and issue management with all stakeholders. Simon is a former journalist and a former Vice President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.
Follow Simon Warr:
About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Martin Rolfe
Managing Director of NATS
Previously Martin worked for Lockheed Martin where he was Managing Director of the UK Civil business. Martin has worked in the air traffic management domain for 18 years leading large multinational teams across Europe, the US, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Far East, with customers including air navigation service providers, central government departments and military organisations.
Follow Martin Rolfe:
About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Catherine Masan
Managing Director Service of NATS
Catherine previously worked for Translink Group where she was Group Chief Executive. She has extensive transportation, commercial and logistical experience through previous Director level roles in operations and marketing with Arriva, in both the bus and rail business. This followed a career in marketing for a number of blue chip companies, including Grand Metropolitan and SmithKline Beecham. Catherine is a Chartered Director and a Chartered Marketer, a Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and an elected Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. She holds a BSc in Genetics from Liverpool University and an MBA from Henley Management College.
Follow Catherine Masan:
About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Nigal Forthery
Finance Director of NATS
He led the Finance team through the transition to PPP (2001) and, following the events of 9/11, the financial restructuring and refinancing of NERL in 2003. In addition to his current responsibilities for finance, Nigel leads NERL’s economic regulatory team and represented the company in the economic regulator’s review of NERL’s charges for Control Period 3. Previously, he worked for Lex Service plc as Finance Director of its retail group and then for BT Cellnet, where he was Deputy Finance Director. He began his career with Coopers & Lybrand where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Follow Nigal Forthery:
About NATS: NATS is the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services.
Mark Fusco
Member of the Board of Directors of Exa Corporation
Mark Fusco currently serves on several technology-focused company as a Member of the Board of Directors, including Viewpoint, Black Duck Software and Dyn. Mark’s leadership and expertise in helping drive operational performance, product innovation and market leadership provides an incredible asset to those organizations in which he contributes. Previously, Mark served as the Chief Executive Officer, President and a Member of the Board of Directors at Aspen Technology Inc., from January 3, 2005 until September 30, 2013. Mark served as Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer of Aspen Technology Inc. from February 2009 to July 1, 2009 and served as its Acting Principal Accounting Officer. Mark served as Chief Executive Officer and President at Aspentech Ltd. from May 2002 to January 2005.Mark served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ajilon Consulting and also served as its Executive Vice President from 1999 to 2002.Mark was a Co-Founder of Software Quality Partners and served as its President from 1994 to 1999. From 1994 to 1999, Mark served as President of Analysis and Computer Systems Inc. Mark served as Director of Aspen Technology Inc., since December 9, 2003 until September 30, 2013. Prior to his business career, Mark was a professional ice hockey player and Member of the National Hockey League team the Hartford Whalers and was a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Ice Hockey Team.Mark holds a B.A in Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.
Follow Mark Fusco:
About : Exa Corporation is a developer and distributor of computer-aided engineering (CAE) software.