Trenchard Aviation Group appoints new COO
Trenchard Aviation Group announced yesterday that Gary Smith is the company's new Chief Operating Officer.
With more than 25 years senior management experience in airline engineering and MRO, Smith will be responsible for all operations across manufacturing, parts and repairs, and on-wing services.
Previously he was Head of Engineering and postholder at easyJet, and led MRO facilities at Rolls-Royce and Triumph Air Repair for more than 10 years.
Before joining Trenchard Aviation, Smith had a 30-year career in aviation, and most recently was Director of Operations Transformation at easyJet, responsible for formation and delivery of the airline's operations strategy, and for delivering their very successful 'Operational Resilience' program, focused on reducing disruption and improving operational performance.
He progressed through the easyJet organization, joining as Head of Powerplant, responsible for managing more than 450 engines, then forming the easyJet 'asset transition' team, responsible for delivery and redelivery of aircraft to lessors, moving onto the 'future cabin' program responsible for the 186 seat cabin retrofit program, and finally becoming Head of Engineering. Smith also lead the Triumph Air Repair operation in the UK, carrying out component repair and APU overhaul, and was General Manager, Component repair at Rolls-Royce.
“We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the Trenchard Aviation team,” said Mark Faulkner, CEO of Trenchard Aviation Group. “His enviable experience and expertise will be a brilliant asset as we move forward out of the coronavirus pandemic and longer term with our strategic international growth plans.”
Smith added,"I am hugely excited to join Trenchard Aviation Group. I look forward to starting work with the team and helping the company reach new heights of success.”
He has an Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering from City University, London, and an MBA from Cranfield University.
