Management Team
Jonathan Bridges, Chief Executive Officer
Jon co-founded Velocity Composites in October 2007. Jon has over 25 years’ experience within the advanced composites industry and is an experienced composite engineer. Previously, Jon was an Aerospace and Lean Solutions Specialist at Cytec Process Materials where he was responsible for direct sales support of UK and European based clients. From 2003 to 2005 Jon was a manufacturing engineer for Safran Nacelles where he was responsible for the manufacturing function for a growing, highly loaded aerospace unit supplying multiple assembly lines. Jon was re-appointed to the Board as an Executive Director in July 2019.
Matthew Archer, Commercial and Supply Chain Director
Matthew joined the Company as Chief Commercial Officer in February 2017 bringing extensive experience of the Defence and Aerospace sectors having worked for several of the world’s leading companies in those industries. Matthew previously worked for GKN Aerospace where he led the introduction of a global strategy for composite procurement across Europe, North America and Asia. Prior to this Matthew worked at Defence industry prime contractors and the UK Ministry of Defence.
In October 2020 Matthew’s role expanded to that of Commercial and Supply Chain Director giving Matthew accountability for the Company’s Contractual, Supply Chain and Quality Assurance matters.
James Eastbury, Customer Programmes Director
James leads a team of technically skilled programme managers and new business engineers in developing and executing comprehensive multi-level plans of engagement with identified customers. He is responsible for the expansion of Velocity’s revenue, with existing customers and new customers/territories.
James has over 10 years’ experience in the aerospace division of Solvay Composite Materials, the advanced materials and specialty chemicals company, where he held a number of roles, most notably as Key Account Manager for Airbus.
Kevin Hickey, Chief Operating Officer
Kevin re-joined the team at Velocity Composites on 31st July 2023 as Chief Operating Officer. He previously held the position of Site Leader, standing up the Fareham branch of Velocity, leading the recruitment of personnel, obtaining all site approvals and achieving programme rate within the first 12 months of operating. He held this position from January 2017 – December 2020.
Kevin has gained over 40 years’ experience in the Aerospace sector, starting as an apprentice with BAE Hamble in 1980 finally leaving in December 2016. Across his 40 year career at Hamble the company changed ownership many times.
During this period of change serving different owners and managerial cultures, Kevin managed his career from an apprentice to operating as a Senior Manager for many different functions within the business including, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering and Sourcing supporting many work transfers worldwide including international work package offloads.
The experience Kevin has gained throughout his career will be invaluable as we grow the business worldwide.