Fellowship for Vice-President of Airbus UK
Phil Swash, Vice-President of Airbus UK, received an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his services to industry and engineering.
Phil joined Airbus in 1995 and has played a pivotal role during a remarkable period of growth in market share, investments, new products and new technology development. As Vice-President and Plant Manager of the Broughton Wing Manufacturing unit, he manages the largest plant of its kind in the UK and Europe, employing over 6,500 people.
Professor Sanderson, LJMU's orator, said: "This dedicated professional is clearly making a telling contribution to the UK and European aerospace industry through his dynamic leadership of an integrated business team with an annual budget of around £45 million." To view the full oration, please click here.
"The fact that I am here is testimony to the power of education and learning," said Phil, during his acceptance speech, which included a special 'thank you' to his family for all their support.
He also wished graduates great success as they moved forward in their careers and urged them to remember the value of learning and diversity. "Remember to ignite the inquisitor within you and seek to understand. People like you are needed to move the country and the world forward. It is also your duty to ignite the inquisitor in others and always be thankful for your family, teachers and champions, whoever and wherever they are."
LJMU has played its part in the development of Airbus, with around 20 Airbus engineers having studied at the School of Engineering, predominantly in the field of Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Dr Michael Morgan and his team in LJMU's General Engineering Research Institute have also helped Airbus resolve some complex tool design questions.
Picture: Pro-Vice-Chancellor Steve Kenny, Honorary Fellow Phil Swash and Professor Diane Meehan, Dean of the Faculty of Technology and Environment
