LAURANCE DICKINSON
Wrexham
Summary
Industrial Project Manager with 12 years' experience at Airbus UK, progressing from Aircraft Systems Fitting Apprentice to leading major Single Aisle Ramp-Up, industrialisation and aircraft modification programmes. Experienced in delivering complex manufacturing and capital-investment projects within highly regulated aerospace environments, with responsibility for CapEx portfolios of up to €20m. Combines practical aircraft manufacturing and engineering experience with project leadership, financial control, supplier management and cross-functional stakeholder engagement.Proven delivery includes programmes supporting a 20% increase in aircraft manufacturing rate, €12m-€20m capital-investment portfolios and aircraft modifications increasing the flight-cycle threshold before first in-service inspection by 60%. Currently completing a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) with The Open University alongside full-time employment.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Industrial Project Manager
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2025 - Current
- Lead industrialisation and product-evolution projects for the Airbus A320 Lower Cover, managing aircraft modification programmes from design concept through manufacturing implementation.
- Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, operations, finance, suppliers and regulatory requirements to introduce new aircraft assembly processes, production facilities, assets and tooling.
- Led the industrial embodiment of the Wing Lower Cover modification, increasing the flight-cycle threshold before first in-service inspection by 60%.
- Manage a €12m CapEx portfolio, including investment planning, funding, financial forecasting and reporting at UK and international level.
- Deputise for the Head of MODs & Industrial Launch, presenting modification portfolio status and project performance to Airbus Broughton Plant Management.
- Delivered a new production area, manufacturing assets and tooling to support new aircraft assembly processes while meeting aviation, Health & Safety, Quality and 5S requirements.
- Established project-management tools and governance for modification industrialisation, strengthening project control, financial visibility and CapEx forecasting.
- Lead integration of product modifications into the manufacturing system, coordinating operational strategy, aircraft configuration, project interdependencies and Make vs Buy considerations.
- Manage regulatory and operational requirements associated with project delivery, including assessment of changes requiring aviation-authority notification and compliance necessary for Product Organisation Approval.
- Plan resource requirements and secure OpEx funding to support manufacturing representatives responsible for modification embodiment.
Industrial Project Manager
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Led a portfolio of industrial projects supporting increased Airbus Single Aisle production capacity at Broughton.
- Delivered new machinery, production assets, manufacturing areas and employee facilities while integrating projects into live aircraft manufacturing operations.
- Projects included 01A Investment, Additional CT1b Gantry, B151 Adaptation, Final Paint (SATYS) and B128 Interim Paintshop.
- Led projects supporting a 20% increase in Airbus UK Single Aisle aircraft manufacturing rate.
- Managed approximately €20m of CapEx investment, together with associated OpEx budgets, financial forecasting and expenditure control.
- Managed international contractors and suppliers through project delivery, including performance reviews at supplier facilities while representing Airbus UK.
- Led Project Management Gate Reviews with senior and plant-management stakeholders, reporting against scope, milestones, risk, investment and delivery.
- Managed project risk and opportunity, identifying potential threats and opportunities and implementing mitigation or enhancement strategies.
- Delivered assets and manufacturing changes within a highly regulated environment, ensuring compliance with Airbus Quality requirements, CDM and PUWER regulations.
- Managed regulatory assessments and Health & Safety and Quality requirements necessary to support Product Organisation Approval.
- Supported contract lifecycle management for major asset delivery, including compliance requirements and integration with existing manufacturing operations.
Acting Enablement Leader
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Supported production enablement for Single Aisle Stage 03 Equipping before stepping into the Enablement Leader role for six months in response to business requirements.
- Led shift integration and resource coordination, identifying individual strengths and development requirements to maintain manufacturing delivery.
- Maintained tooling availability and calibration control, achieving 100% on-time submission of out-of-life tooling for calibration.
- Managed non-production overhead budgets and identified cost-reduction and efficiency opportunities.
- Led CapEx investment activity and introduction of new assets into Single Aisle Stage 03.
- Acted as focal point for subcontractor management and as building custodian for Hangars 91 and 92.
Project Engineer
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Supported the introduction and implementation of new Airbus manufacturing processes through the Critical Torque Project across Single Aisle Stage 02 and Stage 03, ensuring tooling traceability and compliance with aircraft design and EASA requirements.
- Analysed Single Aisle Wing assembly requirements to verify appropriate tooling, traceability and compliance for torqued fasteners.
- Managed and verified manufacturing processes through Industrial Qualification, covering tooling, operator training, process adherence and facility compliance.
- Identified production constraints and tooling requirements, working with external suppliers to develop or procure solutions.
- Presented project progress, milestones and technical information to local and international stakeholders, including production teams in China.
- Supported PPV and APQP activity to demonstrate tooling availability and traceability against operating instructions and aircraft drawings.
- Produced technical memoranda covering Aircraft System ATA Chapters, gaining sign-off from senior Manufacturing Engineering and Plant Management.
Aircraft Systems Fitter
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Installed aircraft electrical systems to design intent and required quality standards within Single Aisle Stage 03 manufacturing.
- Supported work allocation and organisation across operators and assisted management with Work Content Trackers and systems-installation requirements.
Aircraft Craft & Systems Apprentice
AIRBUS UK
Broughton
01.2015 - 12.2018
- Completed practical and technical training in aircraft craft and systems activities, achieving Aircraft Installation Qualification and establishing the manufacturing and engineering foundation for subsequent project-management roles.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) -
The Open University
09.2026
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma - Aeronautical Engineering
Coleg Cambria - Deeside Campus
01.2018
A Levels - Physics, Mathematics & Mechanical Mathematics, Electronics, Economics
Coleg Cambria - Yale Campus
Skills
- Project and programme delivery
- Manufacturing engineering
- Capex and opex management
- Production ramp-up
- Aircraft modification
- Cross-functional leadership
- Senior stakeholder management
- Supplier and contractor management
- Risk and opportunity management
- Regulatory compliance
- CDM and PUWER compliance
- Lean manufacturing principles
- Project governance
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
[LinkedIn URL]
Timeline
Industrial Project Manager
AIRBUS UK
01.2025 - Current
Industrial Project Manager
AIRBUS UK
01.2022 - 01.2025
Acting Enablement Leader
AIRBUS UK
01.2021 - 12.2021
Project Engineer
AIRBUS UK
01.2020 - 12.2020
Aircraft Systems Fitter
AIRBUS UK
01.2018 - 12.2019
Aircraft Craft & Systems Apprentice
AIRBUS UK
01.2015 - 12.2018
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) -
The Open University
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma - Aeronautical Engineering
Coleg Cambria - Deeside Campus
A Levels - Physics, Mathematics & Mechanical Mathematics, Electronics, Economics
Coleg Cambria - Yale Campus