Airbus CEO Dr Tom Enders has been honoured with the degree of Doctor of Science by Cranfield University for his contribution to the aerospace industry.
Upon receiving the degree, Dr Enders said: “It is gratifying to receive this degree from a university that is so highly acknowledged for its continued commitment to the aerospace industry. I am proud of the links we have with universities such as Cranfield because these partnerships assist us in driving technical innovation and partnering in invaluable fields of research. In addition, it provides us with bright, motivated, talented graduates who develop the game-changing technologies of the future.”
Cranfield’s work with Airbus has ranged from executive education in areas such as transport management and aircraft safety, to research into flight dynamics and control, aerodynamic performance, ice protection and novel manufacturing.
Professor Sir John O’Reilly, Cranfield University’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “Every year we select a small number of individuals to receive honorary degrees of the University. We are recognising Tom Enders for his outstanding contribution to the aerospace industry, a sector in which Cranfield has played a dominant role since its inception, and where the University works closely with Airbus in addressing challenges facing the future of aviation.”
Whilst at Cranfield, Dr Enders opened the University’s new Centre for Aerostructure Assembly and Systems Installation, a £1m industrial scale facility where research, development and test assembly of aircraft wing, fuselage and engine components using combinations of robots and human operators will be performed. A first in the UK, the centre is co-sponsored by Airbus and the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering.
Dr Enders has been CEO of Airbus since 2007. His career has been within the aerospace industry since 1991 (Messerschmitt- Bölkow- Blohm (MBB)). He held various positions in MBB, including Chief of Staff, Director Corporate Development and Technology, and Head of Defence Systems. Following the creation of EADS in 2000, he was appointed CEO of the company’s Defence and Security Systems Division, holding this position until 2005 when he was appointed Co-CEO of EADS.
