1989 – 2006             British Airways Engineering

1989- 1997               Aircraft Technician 

1997 – 1998             Zone Co-ordinator

Promoted into technical management grade (TMG) position as a planning zone co-ordinator. This involved working as a link between the satellite/local management and the various production and repair teams as well as workshops and general electric engine maintenance

Primary responsibilities included:

•  Providing a link between the engineers in the hanger and the management team
•  Researching requirements for major repairs and modifications
•  Supporting the planning engineer to deliver the plan
•  Deputising for the management team when required

Learned skills and techniques outside of initial training as an engineer, such as managing individuals requirements and delivery of others and reporting on progress. 

1998 – 2000             Fleet Planning Engineer

Responsible for the delivery of the plan for aircraft maintenance for a 757 major maintenance line. This involved leading aprox 30 aircraft engineers through the complexity of the plan. Managing work packages and ensuring delivery to agreed timescales.

• Running the maintenance plan with the fleet shift manager to deliver 757s to the estimated time serviceable
• Project management of major repairs. Providing manpower, material and other resource plans to recover ETS
• Running the shift in the absence of the fleet shift manager to ensure continuity and clarity to deliver the aircraft to agreed plans
• Communicating the plan to the shift as well as senior management and outside agencies

Key lesson learned was that as a manager it is very important that support is provided so that the team can succeed. 

2000 – 2002             Fleet Technical Engineer

Part of a team formed to manage the end of lease disposal of the 757 and 767 fleet of aircraft for British Airways. This involved working closely with leasing companies to provide due diligence information and also close liaison with Boeing, Qantas and other airlines. This role also involved the management of acquisitions of aircraft under new leasing agreements.

Primary responsibilities included:

• Handback of 767/757 Aircraft to Boeing and Qantas, as well as other leasing companies
• Working closely with the customer and other internal departments such as Air Trading, Flight Ops
• Developing contacts and managing third party suppliers with companies like Avtrac (Aircraft records management ) and Evergreen (Aircfaft storage, Arizona USA)
• Gained a great deal of experience on the many challenges involved in aircraft delivery

This work involved managing a major change in the way BA engineering managed it’s aircraft. Prior to this BA had owned its aircraft from cradle to grave. Due to the change in the economy BA like all major airlines had to lease and therefore hand back the aircraft it operated. Being part of a team at the beginning of this process challenged many of the ways BA went about its business, and was involved in the challenges in implementing new ways of working. This was developed within the team to make significant savings for the business. 

2002 – 2003             Team Leader SAP Implementation Project – Manager Key Users  

2003 – 2006             Team Manager, Design Integrator, Business Support Group