Managing Director - Senior Bird Bellows

Company Description

Senior Bird Bellows is part of Senior plc's global group of engineering companies, contributing specialist engineered products and systems to complex and highly regulated markets. Its growth reflects both organic engineering innovation and the strategic support of Senior plc's international platform.

Senior Bird Bellows traces its origins back to 1975, when it was founded by Philip Bird as a small family‑run engineering operation in Congleton, England. The original business focused on supplying bespoke engineered solutions to the petrochemical and gas industries, rapidly developing expertise in high‑integrity flexible joints and pressure duct systems designed for demanding environments.

From these beginnings, the company expanded its product offering and reputation for technical excellence, becoming a recognised supplier of flexible bellows, gimbal joints, pressure balanced units, and other engineered metallic components. In the 1980s and 1990s, Bird Bellows secured significant aerospace contracts, including with Airbus in Germany and France, which helped establish the company as a trusted partner in aerospace ducting solutions.

A key milestone in the business's history occurred in 1999, when Bird Bellows was acquired by Senior plc, a UK‑headquartered global engineering group that designs and manufactures high‑technology components and systems for aerospace, automotive, defence, land vehicle and energy markets. At the time of acquisition, Bird Bellows had annual sales of approximately £5.8 million.

Under the Senior plc umbrella, Bird Bellows continued to grow both its product range and market reach. The business developed solutions tailored to major aircraft platforms including bespoke flexible joint technology for large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and expanded its presence within global supply chains. It also secured long‑term supply contracts with major OEMs such as GE/Dresser and Pentair/Tyco.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Senior Bird Bellows embraced continuous improvement and quality standards, achieving ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and implementing advanced production practices such as vendor‑managed inventory with key aerospace customers. Sales growth was substantial, with annual revenues rising to over £34 million by 2019. While the business has historically been strongest in aerospace ducting and flexible joint systems, its long‑term strategy under Senior plc has emphasised diversification into adjacent regulated sectors such as defence, energy, pharmaceutical and medical markets.

The company leverages its deep engineering capability in high‑temperature, high‑pressure applications to provide bespoke solutions across these industries.

The Managing Director opportunity at Senior Bird Bellows is a rare chance to lead a profitable, well‑established aerospace manufacturing business near Manchester, employing approximately 250‑300 people and forming part of the FTSE‑listed Senior plc group. With a strong order book, recent capital investment and solid operational foundations, the business is positioned for its next phase of growth.

The role has arisen due to the planned retirement of a long‑serving incumbent and represents a time‑critical external succession focused on continuity, governance and strategic acceleration.

Reporting to the President of the Senior Aerospace Division, the MD will hold full P&L accountability and lead an experienced senior leadership team across manufacturing, engineering, commercial, supply chain, quality and finance.

The mandate is to deliver the 2026‑2030 growth plan (scaling from £40m to £60m), enhance commercial effectiveness, optimise plant and capital deployment, and drive margin and cash improvement through disciplined operational execution.

A key strategic priority is diversifying beyond commercial aerospace by building a stronger defence footprint with primes such as BAE Systems and European OEMs, reducing customer concentration risk while leveraging the company's high‑integrity engineering capabilities.

The successful candidate will combine strong commercial acumen with manufacturing credibility, lead through…