Frank Jensen moved into the commercial aerospace industry following a distinguished career in the US military. His expertise in helicopters came to the fore when he served as executive director and then president of the Helicopter Association International from 1982 to 1998.

Stuart Matthews has spearheaded Flight Safety Foundation's aviation safety education and training activities during the past 10 years as chairman and president of the organisation. He spent seven years with British Caledonian Airways before returning to the manufacturing industry in 1974 as president of Fokker.

Sir Roy McNulty was responsible for transforming Shorts Brothers from a struggling UK Government-owned company to a top aerospace and defence manufacturer. After privatising the company in 1989 he became president of Shorts Group following its acquisition by Bombardier. McNulty is currently working to partially privatise the UK Government-run National Air Traffic Services.

Jean Pierson was managing director of Airbus Industrie from 1985 to his retirement last year. He won the Personality of the Year award in the Flight International Aerospace Industry award last year. He began his aviation career as an engineer in 1963 with Sud-Aviation (now Aerospatiale).

Air Marshal 'Black' Robertson started his career in the RAF in 1963. His operational career included a 20-year association with the F-4 Phantom, which involved a ground attack role with No6 Squadron. His final tour was as chief of staff and deputy commander in chief of strike command.

John Taylor has had a distinguished career in aviation publishing following training as an aircraft engineer. He started his working life in the design office of Hawker Aircraft in 1941. In 1955 Taylor was made consultant editor of the AirBP magazine. He has written close to 240 books on many aspects of aviation.

Sponsors of the Aerospace Industry Awards

Airbus Industrie : Bombardier Aerospace : CFM

Lockheed Martin : Rockwell Collins : Sextant : Sita : Marconi Electronics : Smiths Industries

Source: Flight Daily News