John Whalley

John has 50 years’ experience in the aerospace, space and defence industries. As part of his current portfolio he has been Chief Executive of the Aerospace Wales Forum (an Industry Wales company) since its foundation in 2002. The Forum represents 160 companies in Wales including branches of six of the world’s top ten aerospace, space and defence companies and provides advice on strategy and industry matters to the Welsh Government. In 2015 the Forum, working in partnership with Welsh Government, published a Space Strategy for Wales and established a specialist Space Group. Other key sector groups include MRO, aircraft interiors and civil aircraft manufacturing. During a 32-year career with British Aerospace he spent 15 years as a Divisional Director with leadership roles in engineering, human resources, project management and quality. He was involved with a range of both civil and military projects, including Typhoon, Tornado, Harrier, Hawk, Nimrod, BAE Advanced Turboprop, BAE146 Avroliner and Airbus wing programmes. He is a European Engineer, a UK Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Quality Professional and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society