ADS announces new President

Paul Kahn has been announced as the new President of ADS Group, the UK's leading trade organisation for the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors.

Paul Kahn (above), the incoming President of ADS Group, will carry out his presidency of ADS Group alongside his current position as President and CEO of Airbus Group UK. He said: “ADS represents some of the UK’s most innovative, successful and economically important sectors and I feel privileged to take up my role at such a pivotal and exciting time; representing UK industry, to enhance its partnership with the UK government and presence internationally, during a period of growth and strategic national challenges.” 

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group said: “I am delighted to welcome Paul Kahn as president of ADS Group and I look forward to working with him as we deliver on a busy agenda across all our sectors.” 

As President and CEO of Airbus Group UK, Paul Kahn is responsible for the UK business, coordinating Airbus Group’s activities and strategy in the UK and development of the Group’s strategic industrial partnerships within the UK, key customer relationships and for enhancing Airbus Group’s relationship with the British Government.

In addition to his responsibilities at Airbus, Paul was appointed a UK Business Ambassador, by the Prime Minister, in November 2014.

Paul joined Airbus Group in 2014 from Thales, where he held the position of President and CEO of Thales, Canada. Prior to this, he spent more than four years at Thales operations in Milan, Italy, as Managing Director - Navigation and Airport Solutions Business Line. During his time at Thales he also led the Group’s Avionics Division in the UK and worked in the Business Development function, based in the Paris HQ, which was responsible for the Group’s external growth strategy.

A chartered engineer with a Masters in engineering and management systems from Brunel University, Paul began his career at the Ford Motor Company in both Europe and the United States, before joining the public sector as a civil servant at the UK Ministry of Defence, where he led one of the major reviews of procurement processes.

Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institute of Engineering and Technology and the Association of Project Management. He holds an MBA from London Business School and attended the Royal College of Defence Studies.

ADS priorities for the year ahead: 

Europe 
The UK’s relationship with the European Union will be the major political issue during 2016, with negotiations determining the basis on which a referendum will be held in the UK. The overwhelming majority of ADS Members are certain that UK membership of the EU is good for their businesses and brings significant benefits. ADS will work with other leading business organisations to ensure the benefits of EU membership are recognised and understood.

Industrial Strategies 
The continuation of growth partnerships and securing the new Government’s commitment to these successful industrial approaches, despite the very significant reductions in public expenditure, sends a very positive signal about continuity and stability to our sectors.

ADS will continue to make support for these strategies a high priority. We will take a lead on communicating the opportunities for wider industry, particularly SMEs, to engage and benefit from the programmes, mechanisms and organisations created by the growth partnerships.
 
Implementing the outcomes of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) 
In December 2015, the government will continue working with the government to help inform and deliver the implementation of the strategy, with particular focus on:  

     Contributing to the refresh of the MOD’s Defence Industrial Policy.
    Understanding the new innovation landscape and funding mechanisms.
    Enhancing support for exports; supporting the new Government-to-Government unit established within DSO, and working with the MOD to determine how exportability can be factored into procurement decisions.
    Helping SMEs engage and access defence and security business opportunities in a more organised and orchestrated way.
  
Productivity 
The global aerospace, defence, security and space markets are growing and there are significant opportunities for ADS Members. These opportunities are also being sought by competitors from established European and North American markets, as well as faster growing economies looking to build their own strategic capabilities.

In order to maintain and grow our global market share we must continue to improve our competitiveness and productivity. In 2016 ADS will increase the number of companies from all our sectors actively participating in SC21. We will work with customers to increase the support and recognition they give to businesses demonstrating progress within the SC21 framework and we will work to raise the profile of those businesses winning SC21 awards with potential customers at home and in international markets.

New Business 
Growing international markets and more settled UK public finances will offer new business opportunities for companies that can deliver the quality, innovation and cost competitiveness customers demand. The challenge for many is accessing the right people and building the relationships that underpin commercial success. 

In 2016 ADS will increase the resources it dedicates to supporting business development, at home and in international markets. Building on the successful work undertaken recently, we will develop regular briefing sessions with key customers from the private and public sectors. ADS will work to improve co-ordination with UKTI to access high value opportunities more effectively and allow companies to build their relationships in important international markets.

Farnborough International Airshow 2016 
FIA16 will provide the showcase for UK aerospace expertise and the opportunity to highlight the progress made by the Aerospace and Defence Growth Partnerships. ADS will be co-ordinating participation in the Innovation Zone and on Futures Day, we will build on the progress made at the previous show and create features that interest and engage young people with the careers and opportunities in our industries. 

ADS will work closely with Civil Aviation Authority and Military Aviation Authority to ensure the Farnborough International Airshow continues to set the standard for the safe operation of air displays.