The IAT welcomes new team members

The Institute for Aerospace Technology is pleased to announce several new additions to the team, thus enabling further industry-university collaboration.

Dr. Helen Thomas joins as the IAT’s Project Administrator. Helen has previously spent time as research fellow within the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing. She will also take on responsibility for project administration for the IAT’s EU-funded Marie Curie Project ‘INNOVATE’.

The Business Development team has been bolstered with the addition of both Dr. Hitendra Hirani (European Business Development Manager) and Chris Guest (Business Development Officer), whilst Mark Smith will be joining the team as the IAT’s UK Business Development Manager. Both Hitendra and Mark have extensive experience of working in business development roles at the University, where they have fostered partnerships with both SMEs and leading organisations in aerospace and other industries. Chris joins with experience of the aerospace supply chain following spells working in the private sector.

Meanwhile, James Barbour has joined the University’s Business Engagement and Innovation Services team as Corporate Partnerships Executive for Aerospace and therefore will be working closely with the IAT team in order to develop and enhance the team's relationships with the University’s largest aerospace partners, such as Rolls-Royce, GE Aviation, and Airbus.

Connect with the team via Linkedin

Contact the team via email:

Dr. Helen Thomas (Project Administrator)
Dr. Hitendra Hirani (European Business Development Manager)
Mark Smith (UK Business Development Manager) 
Rachel Brereton (Programme Manager)
James Barbour (Corporate Partnerships Executive - Aerospace)