Watchtower looks to the future

By Ged Henderson

24 Nov 2022

bae-systems-samlesbury.jpg

Andrew Schofield of the North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) explains the £1m Watchtower initiative in one sentence: “We are trying to keep Lancashire ahead of the game”.

Launched earlier this year, the pioneering programme is looking to support development and growth in the vitally important aerospace and advanced engineering and manufacturing industries across the county.

Born out of the Covid-19 pandemic and the huge damage it inflicted, Watchtower is a collaboration between Lancashire County Council and NWAA and includes big hitters such as BAE Systems, Safran Nacelles and Rolls-Royce.

There are several strands to the project. It will use local industry knowledge to support aerospace suppliers as they stabilise, recover, and grow following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, it aims to identify organisations that will benefit the most from “tailored, coordinated business support” and help them access the right type for them.

The two-year programme also includes an intelligence function to identify and protect Lancashire’s key aerospace assets and businesses.

There will be a talent retention service to help people who have lost skilled jobs in aerospace to find new work. Diversification is also part of the brief.

Support will be there for businesses to find new contracts which fit their manufacturing capabilities both nationally and internationally. They will also get help to innovate and develop new products or ways of working.

On top of that, a campaign will reinforce the message that Lancashire is a “perfect location” for aerospace and advanced manufacturing businesses looking for somewhere where they can grow.

The funding is part of the county council’s £12.8m Lancashire Economic Recovery and Growth Fund – specifically targeting some of the economic impacts of Covid-19.

At its launch earlier this year, Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, explained: “We want to support AEM businesses to be competitive, innovative and financially sound to ensure they can successfully recover from the pandemic and thrive.

“The county council’s financial contribution will support 40 aerospace supply chain SMEs, help safeguard and create 200 jobs, and bring in £30m of revenue into the county.”

Addison Precision in Thornton-Cleveleys hosted the launch. Mark Verdon, managing director of the engineering company, said: “The past two years have been extremely challenging to the aerospace sector, and we have had to adapt and diversify our operations further to accommodate these challenges.

“This has led us in some interesting directions and processes as we look to the future, and this is something we have to continue to  explore. The Watchtower project looks like it will provide some much welcome support for us in this endeavour.”

Professor Schofield, who became chair of NWAA earlier this year, believes the two-year project will act as a catalyst to inspire growth and investment and is just the beginning.

He says: “We are hoping Watchtower starts a journey that will really strengthen Lancashire’s ability to respond to changes in technology. The agenda is going to continue way into the future, the issues are not going to go away.

“We are looking at what we can build on in Lancashire to make sure that investment and employment takes place here.

“We have to make sure that key decision makers in the UK and in industry really understand what’s happening in Lancashire, the components we have and why they should both be investing here.”

A big part of Watchtower’s brief is to look at advancements in technology and the processes needed to support and grow businesses.

Andrew says that one of the challenges is to show that major Lancashire assets such as the AMRC North West and its highly rated universities are not there just for the big companies but can help its SMEs improve their productivity and grow.

Paula Gill, who became chief executive of NWAA in April, also believes engaging with the supply chain will be vital for the success of the programme. She adds: “The development of technologies also runs alongside the development of skills in the sector and that is really important.”

David Bailey, a former chief executive of NWAA, is heavily involved in Watchtower though his support company Aerospace Consulting. His organisation was brought in  as part of an aerospace task force created in the wake of Covid, which triggered a massive downturn in the civil sector. Watchtower has grown out of that.

He says: “It became obvious early on that something needed to be done. While initially we looked at aerospace it was felt something was needed across all advanced manufacturing and engineering.

“What is important about Watchtower is that it is helping us to prepare for what new technologies and what new programmes come next.”

He says: “Getting Lancashire companies to work with Lancashire centres of excellence to get an economic benefit has to be the right thing to do.

“The Watchtower programme is about helping companies identify the right organisations, programmes, project and services that can support them and are really going to help them move forward with their businesses.

“All this is important because Lancashire is at the heart of the largest manufacturing region in the UK.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub Councillor Phillippa Williamson and Coun Aidy Riggott

Plan moves forward for new £13.2m Innovation Hub

22 Jan 2025

2

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow Stephen Faulkner

Record turnover as Napthens continues to grow

22 Jan 2025

3

Ranvir Singh to host Convention of the North 2025 in Preston Ranvir Singh

Ranvir Singh to host Convention of the North 2025 in Preston

22 Jan 2025

4

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business Mo Isap

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business

21 Jan 2025

5

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool Representatives from Blackpool Council, Blackpool Boys and Girls Club, Warden Construction and Cassidy and Ashton

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool

21 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day
Freelancer Meet-Up Jan general.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin