Simon Luxmoore likens his own early opinion of the organisation he now runs to the challenges it faces in recruiting the brightest talent in aerospace.
"When I was asked if I would be interested in membership, I thought it was for engineers and engineers alone. I never thought I'd be qualified," says the new chief executive of the Royal Aeronautical Society, who has a background in business management and was number two at Messier-Dowty before moving to the society's grand, wood-panelled offices overlooking London's Hyde Park.
While at the Safran-owned landing-gear specialist, Luxmoore became a fellow of the RAeS and believes there are hundreds like him the world over - working in aerospace or aviation but not aeronautical engineers - who would enhance the 144-year-old professional body, a focus for education and career development, the exchange of ideas and preserving the industry's heritage.
"When I was approached about being a fellow I was absolutely delighted. There are a great many people who deserve to be considered and would bring a tremendous contribution to the society. Membership of the Royal Aeronautical Society is an honour. I want to put our name in front of them," he says.
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Luxmoore took over in November from former member of parliament Keith Mans, who retired after a 10-year stint and who Luxmoore describes as a "tremendous catalyst in moving the society forward". With 17,000 members in more than 100 countries, the society is in fine shape, so the new chief executive is aware that any recruitment drive should not change the ethos of an institution that has been a bastion of aeronautical education and debate since 37 years before the Wright brothers flew (the society was one of the first to recognise the pair's achievements).
"We are reviewing where we are and what we can offer the membership, but I am mindful that I have inherited a tremendous legacy. Any chance will be measured and well thought-out," he says. "I am cautious, but on the other hand prepared to take the lid off and look inside. We will focus on the good and polish up where necessary."
One of the areas of concern is the problem of professionals leaving the society in mid-career, because they no longer find it relevant. "Continuing membership of the society has to be a positive choice," he says. "Members need to know exactly what they get for their subscription. We don't want it to be like a bank that you join when you are 18 and then wonder decades later why you are still with them. If people choose to leave the society, I will want to know why. I will want to know it's for a reason that's no fault of the society."
Another issue is making sure the society's global spread of members are catered for. Although its headquarters are in London, the RAeS has branches throughout the world, including Australia, Munich, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Seattle, Toulouse, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, mainly, although not exclusively, catering to English-speakers and expatriates. Several have been established in the past decade.
"The society is truly global," says Luxmoore, "But we have to make sure our overseas branches and divisions are supported from Hamilton Place. Our staff travel overseas regularly and most of our products are offered electronically."
However, one move to expand the society's resources beyond its central London headquarters - the freehold of which it purchased last year - has proved controversial. Luxmoore walked straight into a tremendous row over the relocation of the library's 10,000 books and publications from rather cramped basement facilities in Hamilton Place to a new purpose-built National Aerospace Library 40km (25 miles) away in Farnborough, next to the site of the international air show.
A petition signed by several former presidents and other distinguished members led to a general meeting being held on 30 November. It passed a motion calling for the library at Hamilton Place to be restored. The society's ruling council now has to consider the resolution when it meets in March.
Those voting for the motion objected to the remoteness of the new library at Farnborough and the manner they claim in which the decision was taken, without consulting members. Supporters of the move claim the new facility, complete with licensed cafe bar, is a much more suitable location and allows for more efficient use of the headquarters.
The controversy is perhaps a reminder for Luxmoore that running a membership organisation is very different to being a manager in industry, where shareholder value and delivering quarterly profit and output targets are king. "I spent many years trying to move companies forward and win new business against demanding bottom line targets, and this is very different," he admits. "This is about understanding stakeholders' expectations and trying to meet these. It's about moving the society forward in the times we find ourselves in and bringing a current business perspective to what we do."
The attractions of running one of the world's leading learned societies and a "reference point for the industry" after a career in business are plenty, he says. "The job provides a way of being involved in all aspects of the industry. It's interesting, rewarding and tremendous fun."
Source: Flight International
