Taking careers to the next level

At Ascent we understand the importance of career progression and identifying high quality leaders. Our shareholders, Babcock and Lockheed Martin, are an important part of this, providing potential onward talent management and opportunities. 

Being able to move to and from our two shareholder companies, and progress careers to a new level, has been beneficial to many of our staff.

We recently said goodbye to Ascent’s Operations Director, Brian Braid, who has taken on a new Managing Director – Effectors role in Babcock’s Missions Systems business.

Tim James, Ascent MD, said: “This is fantastic news for Brian and another great example of the opportunity for our talent to secure roles in either of our shareholders Babcock and Lockheed Martin.

“I want to personally thank Brian, who has worked for Ascent for over seven years in both General Manager and Director roles. Brian has been a valued member of the Ascent Leadership Team and has transformed our operations function. Congratulations Brian from the whole Ascent team!”

Neal Misell, Chief Executive, Babcock’s Mission Systems business, added: “We’re pleased to be welcoming Brian to Babcock as Managing Director of our Effectors Business Unit. Brian will be responsible for a growing business, which provides our customers with a range of high quality products and services, including the design and manufacture of world-leading submarine weapons handling and launch systems. Mission Systems has ambitious plans and Brian’s leadership and experience will play an important role in our growth.”

Matt Hewitt

Ascent Programme Manager, Matt Hewitt, also received a recent offer to progress his career with one of our shareholders, in this instance, Lockheed Martin.

Matt joined Ascent in 2017 as a Project Manager responsible for Fixed Wing implementation and two years later was promoted to Programme Manager and tasked with leading and growing the Cap Del function.

Matt said: “I have been afforded incredible opportunities within Ascent, but the next one was not obvious. I started a conversation with the Ascent leadership team, and we discussed a growth pathway involving the shareholder companies. I was introduced to the Group MD for Rotary Mission Systems (LMUK), and we developed a relationship over a number of months.

“Developing the personal relationships within Lockheed Martin gave me access to conversations that I would not have otherwise had; this got me to the start line, but I still had to run the race. If you are reading this and thinking that this pathway might be right for you and your career, then the advice I would give is to start the conversation, develop your network and make new connections. There could well be an interesting conversation just around the corner. “

Paul Livingston, CEO of Lockheed Martin UK agrees: “It is fantastic to see Ascent employees growing their careers and embedding their skills across Lockheed Martin. These movements are core to ensuring we retain talented individuals within the wider shareholder community.”

Chris Parker

Chris Parker – former Business Development and Capability Manager at Ascent, also made the move across to Lockheed Martin – as a Programme Manager.

“The opportunity to transfer at Ascent appears pretty unique, and the support from both sides was excellent. Transition was very smooth. The biggest challenge was adapting to a new culture and business language and working in a larger corporate environment,” said Chris.

You can read more about his move here: Chris Parker: Business Dev & Capability Delivery – Ascent Flight Training : Ascent Flight Training

Jon Cowdry

Jon Cowdry, formerly General Manager at RAF Valley, is another senior manager who benefited from Ascent’s shareholder interest, with a move onwards and upwards to Babcock.

Jon said: “Leading the Valley team with Ascent made me visible to the senior leaders of Babcock UK Aviation and, with Ascent’s guidance and support, I have been successful in securing a move into the Head of Hawk Programme role.” he said.

“This is win-win-win: Babcock get a known quantity, Ascent has been able to facilitate an extended handover to my successor, and my career progresses in a very exciting direction. I doubt that I would have been as successful in securing my new role had I not benefitted from my time with Ascent. “

Read more about Jon and his move here: Jon Cowdry: Next step for Valley GM – Ascent Flight Training : Ascent Flight Training

Simon Scruton

And, of course, moving between Ascent and its shareholders is a two-way street. Ascent Support & Services Manager, Simon Scruton, is just one former Babcock employee who has moved across to Ascent. Read more about Simon here: –Simon Scruton – Support & Services Manager – Ascent Flight Training : Ascent Flight Training

There are a wide range of career opportunities at Ascent, find our latest jobs here Vacancies – Ascent Flight Training : Ascent Flight Training and join the team, where the only way is up!