The Wight Aviation Museum team had the pleasure of hosting a GKN Aerospace networking event at the museum, attended by more than 30 GKN staff, last Wednesday (4th October).
The event was led by Rupert Dix, Vice President of Defence Europe, and was assisted by senior leaders Sarah Tucker, UK Defence Programmes Director and Simon Slifkin, Commercial Director.
Rupert Dix explained the rationale for the day:
“For GKN this was all about an engagement session with the team. This is our UK Defence leadership team and all of our programme and commercial experts throughout the businesses within the UK are here, from not just Cowes, but also Luton, Portsmouth and from our Bristol sites.
“Bringing them here was fantastic, to discuss some of our key initiatives, the strategic direction of where we’re heading and have wider engagement around how we’re addressing some of our challenges together.”
Whilst much of the day was spent in detailed and deep discussions there were some opportunities for light relief with a quiz about aviation heritage on the Isle of Wight and a ‘practical aviation’ activity – ‘who knew that raw eggs could survive a short flight?’ The teams were tasked with making this happen in true Blue Peter style with balloons, plastic bags and string!
The GKN Team were shown around the museum by members of the WAM Team and were very impressed with what the WAM Team have achieved in just a few years.
Rupert Dix summed it up:
“Simply incredible museum, an amazing collection of memorabilia and history. And for an aviation enthusiast myself, it’s just really, really exciting. And I know the team found it fascinating, going around the museum. What a great setting. Thank you very much on behalf of GKN Aerospace and hopefully see you soon.”
Helen Blake, chairperson of WAM enthused:
“It’s really encouraging for the WAM Team that a local and multinational company such as GKN should choose the Wight Aviation Museum as the venue for their UK Networking event and that they expressed such appreciation of what we have achieved.”
As usual, the museum will be open to all visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:00 to 15:00 each day.
For the love of God do not use their lean system
What a rather pointless comment