Aviation Ops Leader: Scale Design, Manufacturing & Delivery

Britten-Norman names Richard Milne as Chief Operating Officer

Britten-Norman has appointed Richard Milne as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). The newly created role focuses on boosting delivery performance, accelerating growth and scaling engineering operations.

Milne joins the British aircraft manufacturer with over 30 years of aerospace leadership. Most recently, he served as manufacturing engineering director at GKN Aerospace. He began his career as an aircraft fitter at Marshalls of Cambridge and has since held senior roles across design, maintenance, and manufacturing. His diverse background gives him deep insight into every stage of aircraft production.

Chair of the Board, Alison Rankin Frost, praised the appointment. “Richard’s expertise in both aircraft design and production will be instrumental as Britten-Norman strengthens and modernises its manufacturing capability,” she said. “We are delighted to welcome him to the leadership team at such a pivotal time.”

As COO, Milne will oversee all daily engineering operations. His remit includes design, manufacturing, supply chain, and aircraft maintenance. By integrating these areas, he aims to improve efficiency, ensure timely deliveries, and enhance customer support.

Moreover, Milne will focus on maintaining Britten-Norman’s renowned safety standards and the exceptional build quality that define its Islander aircraft. He plans to drive operational excellence while supporting the company’s broader ambition to expand production and meet rising global demand.

With this appointment, Britten-Norman reinforces its commitment to modernisation and growth. The company continues to invest in people, technology, and processes to secure its position as a leading name in British aviation. Milne’s experience and leadership are set to play a key role in shaping that next chapter.