Velocity Composites Appoints Aerospace Veteran to Accelerate North American Expansion

Updated on June 09, 2026 • 5 min read

Velocity Composites, the UK-based supplier of composite material kits for the aerospace sector, has appointed Declan Grant as Executive Advisor to the Board as the company strengthens its leadership team and expands its presence in North America.

The appointment comes as global aerospace production rates continue to rise and manufacturers place greater emphasis on supply chain resilience, manufacturing efficiency, and long-term program support.

Strategic Focus on North American Growth

Burnley-headquartered Velocity Composites sees significant opportunities in the North American aerospace and defense markets, where aircraft production is increasing and demand for advanced composite materials continues to grow.

In his advisory role, Grant will work closely with the board and senior leadership team, focusing on:

• Strengthening customer relationships
• Supporting strategic business development
• Expanding aerospace and defense partnerships
• Accelerating North American market growth
• Enhancing engagement with major industry programs

The company believes the appointment will help position Velocity for the next phase of international expansion.

Extensive Aerospace and Defense Experience

Grant brings decades of experience across aerospace, defense, supply chain management, commercial leadership, and business transformation.

Most recently, he served as President of Aeromed Group, where he led a period of business growth and organizational transformation.

Prior to that, he held the position of Chief Commercial Officer and Board Member at Incora, where he played a key role in integrating aerospace supply chain businesses Wesco Aircraft and Pattonair, creating one of the industry’s largest aerospace and defense supply chain organizations.

Earlier in his career, Grant also contributed to the integration of Haas Group International into Wesco Aircraft, helping shape commercial strategy and customer engagement initiatives.

Supporting Aerospace Production Growth

According to Jon Bridges, Chief Executive Officer of Velocity Composites, the aerospace industry is entering a period characterized by increasing production rates across both commercial and defense sectors.

“As our industry enters a period of increasing production rates and sustained demand across both civil and defence aerospace, Declan’s deep sector expertise, commercial leadership and strong industry relationships will be invaluable.”

Bridges added that the appointment reinforces Velocity’s commitment to strengthening its customer relationships and expanding its footprint in North America.

Strengthening Customer Engagement

Grant will focus on supporting both new and existing customers while helping the company increase its involvement in major aerospace and defense programs.

Commenting on his appointment, Grant highlighted Velocity’s unique market position within the composites supply chain.

“Velocity has built a highly differentiated and niche value proposition within the aerospace and defence industry, combining technical capability with embedded, value-added services.”

He added that he looks forward to helping the company scale its operations and deepen strategic partnerships throughout North America.

Composite Materials Remain Critical to Aerospace Growth

Velocity Composites specializes in supplying engineered composite material kits that help aerospace manufacturers improve production efficiency, reduce material waste, and streamline manufacturing processes.

As aircraft manufacturers continue increasing output to meet growing commercial and defense demand, suppliers capable of supporting scalable composite manufacturing are becoming increasingly important within the global aerospace supply chain.

The continued expansion of advanced composite structures across modern aircraft platforms is also driving demand for suppliers that can deliver both technical expertise and operational efficiency.

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This article is developed based on real engineering experience, machine testing data, and practical production knowledge from Jota Machinery’s work in advanced composite manufacturing.

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Editorial Perspective

Grant’s appointment reflects a broader trend across the aerospace industry, where companies are investing in experienced leadership to navigate growing production demands and increasingly complex supply chains.

North America remains one of the world’s largest aerospace manufacturing markets, supported by major OEMs, defense contractors, and a rapidly expanding advanced air mobility sector.

For Velocity Composites, strengthening its leadership presence in the region could help unlock new opportunities as aerospace manufacturers seek reliable partners capable of supporting high-rate composite production programs.

As global aircraft build rates continue to recover and defense spending increases across multiple markets, companies positioned within the advanced composites supply chain are expected to play an increasingly strategic role in the future of aerospace manufacturing.