A.H.
Director/ AM Supply Chain Management Dep.
Holding a Masters degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Management from the University of Nottingham, H.A. joined Rolls-Royce in the UK upon graduation and has held a variety of engineering, quality and supply chain management roles. He came to Japan in 2007, industrializing the supply chain across Asia for engines such as the Trent XWB for the Airbus A350 and the Pearl 700 for the Gulfstream G700 business jet. He joined Skydrive in April 2024 as Director of Supply Chain Management. For him, joining SkyDrive is an exciting opportunity to be involved in this revolutionary sector of the aerospace industry in his adopted home town of Nagoya.
A.H.: SkyDrive’s Manufacturing Engineering Expert in Japan
Introduction:
A.H. is a manufacturing engineering and management professional with a master’s degree from the University of Nottingham in the UK. Originally from Manchester, he has extensive aero-engine manufacturing, quality and supply chain expertise. Over the past 20 years, he has focused on single crystal turbine blade casting, various combustion systems and aero-engine structural parts. He relocated to Japan in September 2007 and has been there ever since.
Role at SkyDrive:
After two decades in the conventional aerospace industry, he felt it was time for a change and a new challenge. That’s when he joined SkyDrive, where he manages the supply chain and hones his commercial skills. He has been spending his initial days at SkyDrive learning about the company, its structure, and its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, “SKYDRIVE”. He finds the transition from conventional aerospace to advanced air mobility (AAM) refreshing, and thinks there are similarities between the two segments.
Currently, he is focused on establishing a robust supply chain management team and defining a strategic roadmap to ensure smooth production in the future. His goal is to deliver hardware on time and according to plan. With concurrent development programs, it’s crucial to manage deadlines and supplier relationships effectively. He spends a lot of time supporting the aircraft build and ensuring all parts are sourced correctly and delivered on time.
First Impression of SkyDrive:
After 20 years at the same company he was unsure of what to expect but he describes his first impressions of SkyDrive as exceptionally positive, highlighting the company’s well-defined culture, strong management, supportive team, and a more mature product than he anticipated.
Goals and Future Plans:
In the coming year, he aims to get SKYDRIVE flying at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan. Following this, he intends to develop his role further and grow the supply chain management team into a mature production organization.
Personal Life:
He leads an active life outside of work, enjoying various hobbies such as kickboxing and fishing. He appreciates Japan’s proximity to nature, with beaches and ski slopes just an hour away. Nagoya, where SkyDrive is headquartered, offers easy access to outdoor adventures. He often goes fishing on weekends and occasionally camps.
Message to Future Colleagues:
He encourages future colleagues to embrace SkyDrive’s values and culture. He emphasizes that SkyDrive provides a supportive environment backed by strong management. If potential colleagues seek aerospace challenges, they will find a suitable and rewarding work environment at SkyDrive.