ADS is a not for profit trade organisation and operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital. The Articles of Association for ADS Group Ltd provide further information regarding its mandate of operation.
Board
The Board is the formal governing body of ADS which is responsible for overseeing the operational and financial decision making on behalf of Members. It consists of a mix of elected and appointed Members to ensure there is balance from across the sectors and Primes, Mid-tiers and SMEs.
Julian Whitehead, Executive Vice President Global Business and Strategic Programmes at Airbus Defence and Space, was elected President of ADS in January 2022, succeeding Tony Wood. He has worked at Airbus since 2012, with his earlier career including roles with ADS members MBDA and BAE Systems. Julian will serve as President and Chair of the Board during his two year tenure.
Four Vice Presidents also serve on the Board representing each of the sectors. All other Members of the Board represent a specific role as defined by the Board or the membership and set out in the Articles of Association.
CEO & executive team
ADS is managed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), currently Kevin Craven, who reports to the Board on the business ADS conducts on behalf of its Members. The CEO and the Executive Team are responsible for contributing to the strategic development of ADS, including developing and implementing the annual business plan, setting objectives and achieving financial targets.
Boards & committees
There are numerous Boards and Committees across all our sectors, providing members with the opportunity to engage in the thinking and shaping of topics and agenda’s that are important to the sectors and wider industry. These cover everything from strategic issues, the political and policy environment, to engagement with many key stakeholders across government, such as the Ministry of Defence, Home Office and Department for International Trade.
Special interest groups
ADS has more than 30 Special Interest Groups which are set up around specific functional and capability areas of activity that represent members interests. They provide a forum designed to enable members to network, seek out business development opportunities, learn, influence markets and stakeholders and keep up to date with current, related developments specific to the group.
Modern Slavery Act 2015
The ADS Board is committed to the principles behind the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and to achieving absolute compliance.
ADS Governance Structure
Knowledge
Each day we bring you the latest airport and aviation news from across the globe in a single news source
Airlines criticise air traffic control as second glitch causes more disruption
Airlines criticise air traffic control as second glitch causes more disruption
Airlines have criticised the UK’s air traffic control system after a second technical problem in two weeks caused major disruption to UK flights
Read moreEdinburgh Airport announces £500million investment plan
Edinburgh Airport announces £500million investment plan
Edinburgh Airport unveils the first phase of the largest capital investment programme in its history, with more than £500 million to be invested over the next five years.
Read moreEdinburgh Airport to expand terminal in £500m investment plan
Edinburgh Airport to expand terminal in £500m investment plan
Edinburgh Airport has unveiled a £500m investment programme to expand its terminal and improve facilities over the next five years.
Read moreDebate: Airport delivery will benefit from structural shifts and a new mindset
Debate: Airport delivery will benefit from structural shifts and a new mindset
When NCE and Mott MacDonald brought together infrastructure and aviation leaders, the conversation turned to how new methodologies and embedded collaboration could be beneficial.
Read moreCAA Updates Airspace Change Process to Accelerate Modernisation
CAA Updates Airspace Change Process to Accelerate Modernisation
UK CAA has updated its Airspace Change Process in order to reflect new Govt changes outlined in the Air Navigation Directions and Air Navigation Guidance
Read moreBelfast City Airport Launches Consultation on Draft Investment Proposals
Belfast City Airport Launches Consultation on Draft Investment Proposals
Belfast City Airport has announced a public consultation on its potential 200 million GBP draft investment proposals.
Read moreHeathrow Handles 7.8 Million Passengers in August
Heathrow Handles 7.8 Million Passengers in August
New data has shown that London Heathrow handled 7.8 million passengers in August, despite a 2.1% year-on-year dip.
Read morePrague Airport to Add Passport Control Capacity at Terminal 1
Prague Airport to Add Passport Control Capacity at Terminal 1
Václav Havel Airport Prague is set to expand and modernise the border control area for arriving passengers at Terminal 1
Read moreBoston Logan Introduces AI Hologram Passenger Assistant
Boston Logan Introduces AI Hologram Passenger Assistant
Developed in partnership with the Massport, Proto Hologram and Holomedia AI, the concierge provides directions to gates, restaurants, shops, lounges and baggage claim.
Read moreSustainability and Infrastructure: Decisions Airports Can’t Defer
Sustainability and Infrastructure: Decisions Airports Can’t Defer
Sustainability and infrastructure planning used to sit in separate conversations. One belonged to the environment team, the other to the projects office
Read moreTSA now allowing non-ticketed visitors into terminals at several US airports
TSA now allowing non-ticketed visitors into terminals at several US airports
A new pilot program within the Transportation Security Administration is bringing back the ability to walk your loved ones through the terminals without a ticket.
Read moreFAA air traffic overhaul update coming after Labor Day travel: Duffy
FAA air traffic overhaul update coming after Labor Day travel: Duffy
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says travelers could soon get more details on a major rebuild of the country’s air traffic control system.
Read moreFAA’s Bedford Defends ATC Modernization Delays But Says More Money Needed
FAA’s Bedford Defends ATC Modernization Delays But Says More Money Needed
Agency leader also would not commit to giving controllers a 3.8 percent raise provided for by legislation.
Read moreUS FAA head meets with airline CEOs on plan to cut flight delays
US FAA head meets with airline CEOs on plan to cut flight delays
Head of FAA met with CEOs of major U.S. passenger airlines on the agency’s plan to use advanced software to overhaul flight scheduling to improve flight management
Read moreAir Traffic Control Systems: Ambitious New Modernization Effort Needs to Improve Cost and Schedule Planning
Air Traffic Control Systems: Ambitious New Modernization Effort Needs to Improve Cost and Schedule Planning
Federal Aviation Administration has struggled for decades to modernize its outdated air traffic control systems
Read moreTrump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Delivers $1.1 Billion to Upgrade Airports, Including Equipping Runway Vehicles with Transmitters
Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Delivers $1.1 Billion to Upgrade Airports, Including Equipping Runway Vehicles with Transmitters
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today made a $1.1 billion investment into upgrading critical airport infrastructure
Read moreBurgas and Varna airports receive prestigious eco-accreditation
Burgas and Varna airports receive prestigious eco-accreditation
Both airports have reached Level 3 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation program for their efforts in managing and reducing carbon emissions in aviation.
Read moreLuton Airport turns to solar in push for net zero
Luton Airport turns to solar in push for net zero
New airside solar project is expected to cut more than 1,400 tonnes of CO2e in its first year
Read moreMace Consult lands leading role on London Luton Airport growth programme
Mace Consult lands leading role on London Luton Airport growth programme
Mace Consult has secured a key role on the growth of London Luton Airport, having been appointed by Luton Rising
Read moreFlight chaos caused by ‘millisecond’ software defect, report says
Flight chaos caused by ‘millisecond’ software defect, report says
An air traffic control failure that sparked widespread travel chaos earlier this month was caused by a “software defect” affecting the system underpinning UK air space management
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