Aerospace, Defence & Security

Leaders in this sector serve demanding customers, from airframe and engine makers to the Ministry of Defence and overseas governments. Programmes can last for decades. Those with a strong delivery record are rarely keen to move.

As specialist aerospace headhunters, we approach such leaders directly and in complete confidence, since many programmes and bids are commercially or nationally sensitive. Our Aerospace, Defence & Security practice forms part of our manufacturing executive search work, and our defence executive search covers prime contractors and the suppliers that serve the UK armed forces.

Aerospace and defence leaders we appoint

Stone Executive appoints aerospace and defence leaders at board, executive and senior management level. The customer base and the regulatory setting shape each brief, because a civil aerostructures manufacturer and a defence electronics company seldom look to the same group of leaders.

• Chief executives, managing directors and heads of divisions
• Programme directors on development, production and support contracts
• Engineering and technical directors, including chief engineers
• Quality directors who have AS9100 and customer approval experience
• Directors of operations, manufacturing and the supply chain
• Commercial and business development directors covering MOD and export markets
• Finance leaders, ranging from finance director to chief financial officer
• Chairs and non-executive directors with a background in defence and aerospace

Quality appointments matter a great deal here. AS9100, the quality management standard set out by the International Aerospace Quality Group for aviation, space and defence organisations, builds on ISO 9001 and is designed for use at every level of the supply chain. In aerospace executive search, the pool for engineering directors and chief engineers can extend into other high-integrity industries such as nuclear and rail, and these briefs draw on our senior engineering appointments practice.

Markets across aerospace, defence, space and security

Our aerospace executive search work covers civil aerospace, defence, space, and security and resilience. Many companies operate in more than one of these markets. The leadership mix changes depending on who the customer is: an engine supplier serves airframe manufacturers and airlines, while a defence systems company serves government.

• Civil aerospace: engines, systems, components and aerostructures, plus manufacturer-led overhaul
• Defence: tier one suppliers, specialist suppliers and prime contractors, defence electronics among them
• Space: satellite and ground system manufacturers and space services businesses
• Security and resilience: national security technology companies, together with protective security and resilience businesses

Leadership for airlines, airports and the maintenance organisations that support operators is covered by our airline and airport leadership practice. Our security executive search centres on national and protective security, and a brief that is primarily digital runs with our cybersecurity executive search practice.

What is changing in Aerospace and Defence leadership

Aerospace and Defence leadership is shifting because UK defence spending is going up, the government is changing how it buys from industry, and civil aerospace is raising output. These changes suit leaders who can grow manufacturing, handle supply chains under pressure and deal well with government customers.

The Defence Investment Plan, published in June 2026, is backed by £298bn of investment over the next four years, and the government has committed to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament. Alongside NATO allies, the UK has committed to reach 3.5% of GDP by 2035. The plan also commits to implementing the Defence Industrial Strategy, with reformed procurement, expanded exports and, subject to consultation, a new offsets regime.

According to ADS Group, the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries account for 468,500 direct roles, and employment across them has grown by 39% over the last ten years. ADS also reports that the aerospace industry is raising output to meet demand at levels not seen before, despite ongoing supply chain challenges.

The Export Control Order 2008 prohibits the export of military goods, and the electronic transfer of military software and technology, unless the activity is authorised by a licence or covered by an exception in the Order. Commercial directors who run overseas campaigns therefore need to build licensing into their plans from the start.

Security clearance in senior defence appointments

Security clearance is a formal condition of senior defence appointments that involve regular access to SECRET or TOP SECRET material, as the appointed leader has to pass national security vetting first. The government authority responsible for the post sets the level. Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV) are the top two of the main levels.

UK Security Vetting guidance states that SC is required for posts with long-term, frequent and uncontrolled access to SECRET assets, or occasional, supervised access to TOP SECRET assets. DV is required where the post involves frequent and uncontrolled access to TOP SECRET assets, and it adds a full review of personal finances, a detailed interview with a trained Investigating Officer and interviews with referees.

Clearance belongs to the sponsoring organisation. When a cleared individual moves employer, the new sponsor asks UKSV to assess whether the existing clearance can be transferred. The guidance also states that clearance is not guaranteed. It advises applicants not to leave their current employment until clearance has been granted and a start date confirmed. For a role that requires clearance, the brief has to set out the level needed, whether candidates must already hold it, and how the offer and notice period fit around vetting.

Our Aerospace and Defence executive search process

Our aerospace and defence executive search process is retained and partner-led, and each brief reflects how programmes, customer approvals and, where relevant, security vetting affect the timing of an appointment. Most searches reach an accepted offer four to eight weeks after the brief is agreed. A role that needs new or transferred clearance can take longer to start.

Programme directors should be able to point to a programme they have led through design reviews and qualification into production or service, with a cost and schedule record to match. In civil aerospace, the strongest operations and quality leaders can show their delivery and quality record with airframe and engine customers, first article inspection included. In defence, commercial leaders need experience of Ministry of Defence contracting and long bid cycles.

On a cleared role, aerospace executive recruiters need to establish the level and status of each shortlisted candidate’s clearance before client interviews begin, because both affect when the appointed leader can start.

FAQs

Boards and chief executives planning an appointment in aerospace, defence, space or security can talk to our team in confidence on 0333 800 1560.