Simon Scruton – Support & Services Manager
Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
Unusually, my background is as a Civil Licensed Aircraft Engineer, which is ideal in my current position, as this is how most of the aircraft under Ascent control are maintained. I have been licensed for over 30 years and previously worked mainly for charter airlines EasyJet and BA CityFlyer.
I was introduced to military flying in 2013-6 when I was Duty Maintenance Control Engineer for Air Tanker, at RAF Brize Norton. I came to RAF Valley in 2018, working for Affinity FTS, one of Ascent’s service providers, helping set up the operation and the introduction of the Texan aircraft. I then spent a year working for Ascent’s shareholder Babcock as Performance Planning Manager for the Hawk contract, before starting working for Ascent in December 2023.
What attracted you to work at Ascent?
The job role attracted me. Plus the fact that Ascent is a relatively new and growing company, based at RAF Valley.
What does your role at Ascent entail?
As Support and Services Manager I oversea all the contracts on the site from a safety and assurance perspective – this includes Affinity: Texan, BAE: Hawk, Lockheed Martin: simulators and Babcock: infrastructure and IT – and I provide technical support to our General Manager.
Do you have a role model or someone who you respect and try to model yourself on?
Pep Guardiola – not just because I am a life-long Manchester City fan, but anyone who can move to a football club, that has just won the treble, and say they are playing all wrong, gets my respect.
What do you enjoy most about working at Ascent?
The team and variety of work.
Why would you recommend working for Ascent?
It’s still a small enough company to stand out in, yet large enough to make an impact.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
We were lucky enough to buy a smallholding on Anglesey and enjoy all that it brings. We have filled it with 15 dogs (all rescues) two horses, three sheep, three cats and three chickens. So that keeps me busy enough.