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On 28th November in Bristol, leading UK aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies met to celebrate the skills, talent, and capabilities unique to the region at the West of England Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Forum’s (WEAF) gala dinner and Making a Difference Awards.
Over 180 guests met in Bristol from across the region, the awards elevated the excellence of industry by celebrating the innovative and enterprising spirit of colleagues throughout the South West.
The awards received:
- The Innovative Team Awards were presented to Airbus UK for the company’s Wings of Tomorrow programme. Spearheaded in Filton, the project is looking at new ways to design and build wings for next generation aircraft, including the concept of a folding wing. Sora Aviation, an SME received the accolade, for its pioneering of a high-capacity, 30-seat electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project aims to revolutionise urban air mobility by providing a sustainable and scalable solution for transportation in urban centres and remote areas.
- The Unsung Hero Award was received by Freya Woollett, a trainee at Leonardo in Yeovil, who has demonstrated leadership at a young age further to her organisation of AeroWomen 2024. An event which focusses on inclusion and diversity within aerospace, engaging an audience from across the UK on the scope of careers to young women in the sector.
- The Sustainability Award won by Infinity Systems Engineering was for the SME’s leading environmental stewardship in the South West. The team has undertaken comprehensive research to produce a functioning and accurate Carbon Calculator (CO2 equivalent) to allow the company to assess its emissions and identify means of reducing these and offsetting the residual (unavoidable) emissions through responsible charity schemes.
- The Celebrating Leadership Award was presented to Olivia Steel, Head of Supplier Management at Vertical Aerospace. Olivia was recognised as an enthusiastic advocate for the value that Supply Chain Management professionals can bring to all levels of business operations. She has spent recent years leading the establishment and integration of effective Procurement and Logistics into the technically complex world of an eVTOL startup. Her mission is to improve diversity within the sector.
- Special industry awards were also provided to Neil Tolson, Business Controller at SKF, Jo Rufus, Senior Economic Development Officer at Dorset Council, and Stewart Lane, Head of Business Development at Renishaw, for their invaluable contribution to the sector in the South West
Colin Turner, WEAF CEO, commented: “WEAF’s Making A Difference Awards were centred on people. The highly-skilled people who make-up our innovative aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, what shone through from all the winners was their passion and drive to make our industry world-leading from the heart of the South West.”
Sue Partridge, Airbus Head of Wing of Tomorrow programme, said: “Wings are one of our greatest assets for reducing carbon emissions from flying, and it makes me incredibly proud to see our Wing of Tomorrow team recognised for the folding wing demonstrator which represents a giant leap forward in wing technology. Thank you, team, for continuing to push the boundaries of modern engineering and to WEAF for supporting Airbus by championing aerospace and advanced manufacturing in the South West. The work you do in connecting the supply chain, and linking Government and policy makers is invaluable.”
Olivia Steel, Vertical Aerospace, said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive the Celebrating Leadership award. It is my hope to represent all women and veteran leaders in aerospace, and those individuals navigating the challenges of leading diverse teams in the dynamic, ever-changing world of an aerospace start-up like Vertical Aerospace. WEAF has connected my team with a network of high-calibre suppliers, and I know they are firmly championing Vertical Aerospace’s pioneering mission.”
Furqan, Sora Aviation, noted: “Winning the SME Award is a testament to the exceptional team we have at Sora, whose dedication and hard work drive our mission of providing equitable access to air mobility. We are proud to be in such esteemed company alongside industry leaders like Airbus. Our sincere thanks go to WEAF, the judges, and the sponsors for this incredible honour.”
Jo Rufus, Dorset Council, stated: “Thank you WEAF for this award. It has been a journey and a pleasure working with WEAF and the former South West Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and now the combined and local authorities in promoting South West Aerospace and its supply chain for investment and growth. So, it is absolutely a team effort. These organisations have provided the mechanism for us all to work together in supporting this key sector. For ‘Invest in Dorset’ this is has been particularly important to showcase our Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Sector which has great strengths in aerospace and defence.”
Freya Woollett, Leonardo UK, said: “I feel truly honoured to have received the Unsung Hero Award, as it is more than just a recognition of my efforts. It symbolises progress and possibility for young women pursuing careers in engineering and STEM. And thanks to WEAF, it is a reminder that diversity and inclusion are the cornerstones of innovation and success. This award means the world to me, but it is also for the incredible and inspiring women I have met along the way, who have shaped me into the professional I am today. The presence of strong, trailblazing role models gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and build a confidence I never thought possible.”
Please view the Hall of Fame to celebrate the winners of the Making a Difference Awards.
About WEAF
WEAF (The West of England Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Forum) is the leading professional membership association for aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing companies in the Southwest of England.
As one of the largest aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing clusters in Europe, we can provide a strong voice for our members, as well as representation and access to prominent regional, national, and international decision makers in industry and government.
By providing support and new opportunities for our members, we strive to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the supply chain and bring stakeholders together to create one cohesive community with the opportunities they need to grow.