Posted by: David Bailey Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, March 19, 2010

Scott Bairstow has joined the NWAA as project director to oversee one of the group’s most influential programmes.

Scott was formerly the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) business development manager for the aerospace sector.

In his new role he will head up the ASCE 2 (Aerospace Supply Chain Excellence) Programme team at the NWAA’s recently opened Preston office, overseeing a team of 17 people.

Scott spent more than three years with the NWDA, building long-term relationships with key decision makers in the North West, and working closely with the NWAA. Prior to joining the NWAA, Scott had spent 14 years in the textile industry.

He said: “I had a good background to the ASCE 2 project at the agency and seeing it through as part of the team is very exciting. Our benchmarking has shown us that there isn’t anything else like this in the world.”

Scott also feels that manufacturing is slowly becoming recognised as key to the economy. He said: “There is a recognition that manufacturing is a priority. It has been given a lot more support thanks to the belief that there is a need to have a balanced economy, and it really bodes well for manufacturing as a whole, and also for aerospace.”

Martin Wright, chief executive of the NWAA, added: “As the head of ASCE 2, Scott will be responsible for heading up one of our most important programmes, and we needed someone who knows the industry.

“Scott brings with him a thorough understanding of both the work of the NWAA and the economic environment in which we work, something which is vital for us.”