Senior Leadership

Jonathan Bridges

Jon co-founded Velocity Composites in October 2007 and has over 31 years’ experience within the advanced composites industry, specialising in manufacturing engineering. Prior to forming Velocity Composites, Jon had worked in various international aerostructure manufacturers and material suppliers, where he developed his detailed understanding of the global supply chain and the evolution required.

Jon was CEO prior to the Company’s IPO in 2017 and re-appointed to the Board as an Executive Director in July 2019.

Jon is also a Director of the North West Aerospace Alliance, the regional trade association for the aerospace and defence industry in the North West of England, and holds an BSc (hons) in Material Science.

Rob Smith

Rob is a chartered management accountant with significant experience in leadership roles in a number of AIM quoted technology companies, where he has been instrumental in leading growth strategies and improving operational efficiencies. Rob has a proven track record in advanced manufacturing at both CFO and CEO level, including manufacturing systems implementation and international commercial leadership. Most recently Rob served as Group CFO at Biome Technologies plc and prior to that, in the CFO and CEO roles at Filtronic plc between 2014 and 2020, an electronics designer and manufacturer of advanced filters, antennas and transceivers.

Rob was Finance Director of APC Technology Group, a specialist distributor and manufacturer of electronic components and semiconductor products with a focus on green technology industries between 2010 and 2014.

Matthew Archer

Matthew joined the Company as Chief Commercial Officer in February 2017 bringing extensive experience of the Defence and Aerospace sectors having worked for several of the world’s leading companies in those industries. Matthew previously worked for GKN Aerospace where he led the introduction of a global strategy for composite procurement across Europe, North America and Asia. Prior to this Matthew worked at Defence industry prime contractors and the UK Ministry of Defence.

In October 2020 Matthew’s role expanded to his current position, giving Matthew accountability for the Company’s Contractual, Supply Chain and Quality Assurance matters.

James Eastbury

James joined the company in May 2020 and leads a team of technically skilled programme managers and new business engineers in developing and executing comprehensive multi-level plans of engagement with identified global customers.

He is responsible for the expansion of Velocity’s revenue with existing customers and new customers/territories.

Prior to joining Velocity Composites James has over 10 years’ experience in the aerospace raw materials division of Solvay Composite Materials (now Syensqo) , the advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, where he held a number of roles, most notably as Key Account Manager for Airbus.

Kevin Hickey

Kevin re-joined the team at Velocity Composites in July 2023 as Chief Operating Officer. He previously stood up the Fareham facility of Velocity Composites, leading the recruitment of personnel, obtaining all site approvals and achieving programme rate within the first 12 months of operating. He held this position from January 2017 – December 2020.

Prior to Velocity Composites Kevin has gained over 40 years’ experience in the Aerospace sector, starting as an apprentice with BAE Systems Hamble in 1980. Across his 36-year career at Hamble the company changed ownership many times, allow Kevin to experience different managerial cultures and strategies in his senior management roles for many different functions within the business. These include Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering and Sourcing, supporting many work in loads and transfers including international work package relocations.

The vast experience Kevin has gained throughout his career will be invaluable as Velocity’s operational footprint expands worldwide.

Sheldon Atherton

Sheldon has been a member of the Velocity team since 2008 and has played a significant role in establishing the production processes, IT systems and the Quality Management System of the entire business.

Sheldon is homegrown through the Velocity leadership development programme, developing his skills, knowledge and experience through Production, Systems Integration, Quality and Supply Chain.

Today, Sheldon uses that unique experience to lead the Company’s technology developments around the digitisation of its processes within its VRP system, to centrally drive further improvements in efficiency, schedule adherence and process control.

Sheldon also leads the company’s Quality Assurance function across all sites.

Amy Heap

Amy joined Velocity in October 2022, bringing with her over 6 years’ experience from varied roles in Human Resources.

Amy has previously worked in many industries including the Educational, Health and Social Care and Manufacturing sectors, responsible for leading and directing all aspects of the Human Resource function.

In her role at Velocity Amy leads the HR function across all sites globally, and adapts the service provided to international and cultural requirements.

Amy has a CIPD Level 5 Diploma in HR Management and is a member of the CIPD association.

Katie Kininmonth

Katie joined Velocity in August 2020, Katie has 19 years’ experience in Finance, including PLC experience,  beginning her career at a top 10 international firm and going on to work in a number of large retail and manufacturing businesses.

Katie is responsible for the management of the finance team, including preparation of the global financial information working alongside the Chief Financial Officer to complete the Statutory and regulatory reporting for the business and a key contact for internal and external stakeholders.

Matthew Fisher

Matthew joined Velocity soon after its launch back in 2008 and has been involved extensively in the creation of the business.

Matthew has an extensive knowledge of composites and processes, and he has helped build the engineering team as well as the R&D strategy for the business, including the Digital Manufacturing Cell and associated software.

Prior to Velocity Matthew worked for Aerovac as Production Manager, specialising in the design, costing and technical engineering of reusable vacuum bagging equipment used to manufacture a myriad of different composites structures, from F1 chassis structures to A220 Wing Stringers and Spars.

Matthew has over 25 years’ experience of the composites Industry and currently holds the position of Manufacturing Engineering Manager working closing with the New Business and Operations teams to install new projects and deliver continuous improvement to both new and existing programmes.

Lee Berry

Lee Joined the Company in December 2023 as Manufacturing Manager for our production site in Burnley, UK, and brings with him over 18 years of management experience within the composites industry delivering strong leadership, process improvement, high product quality, and operational excellence.

Previous positions have provided the opportunity for Lee to build skills in project management, staff development, training, health & safety, Quality management systems, cost controls, adhering to procedures, customer service, problem-solving and relationship management.

Paul Britton

Paul joined the Company in September 2023 and has over 38 years’ experience in the Aerospace industry.

Paul heads up all the manufacturing activity with the Companys Fareham, UK site as it supports customers in the South of the UK.

Previously in his career he has been involved in the manufacturing process key aerospace projects, including Boeing 737, Bombardier Dash 8, Airbus A350 Wing Panels & BAE Systems Hawk Canopy/Windscreen.

Paul, oversees the Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People management system in Fareham, striving to meet or exceed the metrics/KPI’s targets set.

Byeong (Ben) Kim

Ben joined Velocity in September 2022 as the first US subsidiary employee, originally in an engineering role.

After leading the local activities in the standing up of the Tallassee, Alabama facility Ben has been awarded the US Site Lead position through strong mentorship and dedication. He is currently working alongside the Chief Operations Officer to establish a strong team and continue the build out the facility.

Max Page

Max joined Velocity in 2021 as a Customer Project Engineer at the Fareham facility, having previously worked in the complex field of aircraft fuel systems.

Since August 2023 Max has led the Customer Projects half of Velocity’s engineering function and is responsible for the key engineering process needed to transfer new business into Velocity, such as bid creation, technical data flow and First Article Inspection (FAI).

Max is leading the team at a crucial time for Velocity’s growth and is ensuring the engineering department is set up to be at the leading edge of this growth, with Engineering Team members based at all of Velocity’s sites in Europe and North America.

Shoaib Tahir

Shoaib joined Velocity in April 2023, bringing with him years of experience in finance across engineering & manufacturing industries, with a key focus on commercial development & implementation.

Shoaib previously worked as the Group Financial Controller at National Floorcoverings, where he was responsible for developing and executing key business strategies for both the short & long term while improving margin performance across the group. He is responsible for the financial planning & analysis to drive operational efficiencies and navigate the business through growth while achieving forecasted budgets, in addition to meeting stakeholder expectations.

Shoaib is a Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

Matthew Dixon

Matt joined Velocity in June 2016 and is based at our Fareham facility. Matt began his professional life as a commissioned officer in the British Army before embarking on a subsequent career in the defence industry.

Matt has a strong background in project and programme management and leads the Project Implementation function, responsible for ensuring the smooth on boarding of all new programmes.

His role and responsibilities include working across all three Velocity sites, engaging with stakeholders at all levels, both at internally at Velocity and externally with our customers in order to facilitate Velocity’s growth and customer cost saving plans.

Dan McNamara

Dan joined Velocity in 2018 and has nearly a decade of experience operating within high-level composite supply chains. Dan began his career completing a planning and supply apprenticeship at Gurit, a distinguished manufacturer and global supplier of advanced composite materials.

Within Velocity Dan leads the global Planning and Supply Chain Team, and is responsible for managing sustained customer interface around long and medium term demand.

This also includes the Company’s global supplier base, with responsibilities including both indirect and direct raw material scheduling and procurement activities across all three Velocity sites, ensuring operational enablement, adherence to agreed demand levels and meeting contractual requirements.