Trenchard Aviation appoints new chief operating officer

Trenchard Aviation Group has announced the appointment of Gary Smith as its new chief operating officer.

With over 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.

Smith has extensive knowledge of Trenchard Aviation customers’ requirements, having been head of engineering and postholder at easyJet, and having lead MRO facilities at Rolls-Royce and Triumph Air Repair for over 10 years.

Prior to 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 its ‘Operational Resilience’ programme, focused on reducing disruption and improving operational performance.

Smith progressed through the easyJet organisation, joining as head of powerplant, responsible for managing over 450 engines, then forming the easyJet ‘asset transition’ team, responsible for delivery and redelivery of aircraft to lessors, moving onto the ‘future cabin’ programme responsible for the 186 seat cabin retrofit programme, 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.

He has an Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering from City University, London, and an MBA from Cranfield University.

Mark Faulkner, CEO of Trenchard Aviation Group, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the Trenchard Aviation team. 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.”

On his appointment, 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.”

www.trenchardaviation.com