Trustees & Chair of the Trading Board
The Roles:
Aerospace Bristol
The Client:
Aerospace Bristol is a family-friendly museum on the edge of the historic Filton Airfield. They tell the remarkable story of a business founded in 1910, that grew to employ hundreds of thousands, shaping local communities and transforming Filton into the heart of the British aerospace industry.
Every British Concorde was manufactured and made its maiden flight from Filton Airfield - and the last Concorde to fly is the museum’s centrepiece. Visitors enjoy an immersive and interactive journey through over 100 years of flight and aerospace engineering. Since its opening in 2017, Aerospace Bristol has become one of the UK's leading museums and learning centres. Their educational programmes inspire future engineers, through exciting, hands-on workshops on rocket science, robotics and more.
The Charity was moving from its formation period to the next stage of development. They were seeking four Trustees and a Chair of the Trading Board to help explore new opportunities and mould the organisation’s future. They approached Moon for assistance based on our track record of finding the perfect candidates for specialised Charity roles, especially in Bristol and the South-West.
The main challenge we faced during this search was finding people with distinct skills and expertise - so each would bring something unique to the organisation. They wanted a diverse Board of Trustees with knowledge in finance, accountancy, education and STEM outreach. Furthermore, they hoped to find people with experience in museums, collections/archives, visitor attractions, or planning and development.
The Chair of Trading provides valuable oversight, leadership and governance for the commercial operations of the organisation - which supports the Trust in its charitable objectives. For this position, they sought candidates with significant commercial experience, preferably in retail, visitor attraction, and event management.
Sandy Hinks, Head of Moon’s Charity Practice led the search campaign, with support from Executive Search Consultant, Leighann Beck. We conducted a thorough advertising operation, followed by an extensive search of our database and a headhunting exercise. After screening calls with qualified applicants, we created a longlist. We then carefully assessed skills, experience, and suitability to shortlist the most promising individuals. Finally, an in-depth interview process helped identify the very best – these candidates were recommended to Aerospace Bristol. We're thrilled they decided to move forward with our recommendations.
Sally Cordwell, CEO of Aerospace Bristol, commented:
“Thanks to Moon Executive Search, we’ve recruited five exceptional individuals. Their unique skillsets will be instrumental in preserving Bristol's aerospace legacy, making it accessible to a wider audience, and inspiring future generations.”
Lloyd Hughes was placed as Chair of Trading. He brings significant experience overseeing income-generation projects in commercial environments. His approach to strategy implementation greatly impressed our screening and selection team. Furthermore, Mr Hughes’ senior leadership experience adds an extra dimension to the Trading Board.
The four Trustees provide a wide range of specialisms, from marketing, finance and business management to aerospace engineering. They widen the Board’s network and knowledge of the South West. The appointment of these Trustees strengthens the organisation’s governance and leadership capabilities, helping expand their reach and subsequently inspire more people.
The following candidates were appointed as Trustees:
● Jack Williams
● Peter Chivers
● Robert Yeandle
● Rachael Corver
Sandy Hinks commented:
"Our advertising campaign generated a huge wave of enthusiastic responses - highlighting Aerospace Bristol's popularity and deep connection to the people of Bristol. With so many highly qualified applicants, narrowing the pool to just five candidates proved a significant challenge. The placed candidates impressed us with their skills and passion. We have no doubt they'll thrive at Aerospace Bristol.”
Moon Executive Search offers bespoke solutions for clients, utilising expertise and knowledge acquired over two decades of executive search recruitment. We take pride in finding the perfect candidate for your Board.
Contact us by phone or email to find out more.
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