The
Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA) has appointed of Chris Weir as its new chief technology officer (CTO). The MAA has been supporting companies to develop technologies for the aerospace sector and complementary industries in the Midlands for over 20 years and the new strategic position of CTO has been created as the organisation looks to the future and develops plans to support companies along the whole aerospace supply chain to create next generation technologies.
Mr Weir has over 30 years’ senior engineering experience covering the full lifecycle of aerospace, defence and space equipment systems for companies including Rolls-Royce and Goodrich (now part of Collins Aerospace). He has been supporting the MAA with technology strategy development and delivery since 2021, most recently leading the Decarbonising the Midlands Aerospace Cluster (DMAC) project which is planning how supply chain companies can reach ‘net zero’ by 2050.
The CTO’s three priorities will be to advocate for the innovation and technology investment needs of the aerospace supply chain; enable the supply chain to achieve and maintain competitiveness on a global basis; and to continue to accelerate the decarbonisation agenda in the aerospace supply chain.
The innovative potential of the aerospace sector in the Midlands is significant. According to the
Aerospace in the Midlands report published in March 2024, co-authored by the Midlands Engine Observatory (MEO) and the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, the region hosts 20% of UK aerospace sites, sustains over 100,000 jobs, and generates £5.3 billion in GVA for the economy.
Mr Weir said: “I will be working to support the Midlands in remaining at the forefront of global aerospace and firmly on the path to a sustainable future. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the team at the MAA and hundreds of businesses across the region to help enhance the global competitiveness of the supply chain through innovation.”
Andrew Mair, MAA chief executive, concluded: “The MAA has a long tradition of supporting companies of all sizes to develop new technologies. We are delighted to appoint Chris as CTO to work alongside our outstanding team of technology managers as our support for Midlands aerospace gathers pace and the MAA becomes a growing voice contributing to the UK industrial strategy.”