Boeing Unites UK Rotorcraft Support Business

Boeing Defence UK, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company has announced the establishment of a new operation to focus on Boeing's rotorcraft support business in the United Kingdom.

The new organisation, Boeing UK Rotorcraft Support, is part of the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems business unit.

Boeing's UK portfolio of rotorcraft support activities includes the Chinook Through Life Customer Support programme, which received the Chief of Defence Materiel Commendation award in November 2008, and the Apache Integrated Operational Support programme.

Leading the new organisation is Managing Director David Pitchforth. He is responsible for further developing Boeing's rotorcraft support business in the United Kingdom while working directly with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), local industry partners and the company's UK and U.S. rotorcraft teams.

"Creating this new operation underscores Boeing's commitment to our customers, industry partners and employees in the UK," said Peri Widener, executive for Boeing's global rotorcraft support team. "David has the local knowledge, customer relationships and leadership qualities necessary to make Boeing an agile onshore partner to the Ministry of Defence and to work effectively with local industry."

In December 2007, Boeing announced the formation of Boeing Defence UK Ltd. to consolidate Boeing's defence activities in the United Kingdom and to meet the criteria set forth in the Defence Industrial Strategy.

"The consolidation of our UK rotorcraft support business is an essential step in Boeing's strategy for long-term growth and presence here in the United Kingdom," said Mike Kurth, Managing Director, Boeing Defence UK Ltd. "David's experience with the customer and our industry partners will be an added benefit toward achieving our objectives of growth and partnerships."

Pitchforth, a native of Yorkshire, was most recently with AgustaWestland Military Division as Director of Business Transformation and Senior Vice President, UK Government Business Unit. A major part of Pitchforth's focus was the transformation activity centered on the Rotary-Wing Strategic Partnering Arrangement between the UK MOD and the company. Prior to entering the defence industry, Pitchforth was most well known for his role as Managing Director and Chairman of the Jaguar Racing Formula 1 team, a role that he undertook at the request of Ford Motor Company.

Pitchforth holds a degree in Design Engineering from Open University, an HNC in Design Engineering and an ONC in Mechanical & Production Engineering from Huddersfield Polytechnic, and a certificated apprenticeship from the Engineering Industry Training Board.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company and a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, Boeing Defence UK Ltd. currently has employees at 20 locations throughout the UK supporting Ministry of Defence and U.S. military programmes.