Airbus has named Simon Ward as its Head of Turkey, effective April 1. He will be responsible for developing and implementing the Airbus strategy in Turkey, expanding the company’s local presence, pursuing new growth and productivity opportunities. He will coordinate company-wide business activities and lead government affairs. Simon will report to Wouter van Wersch, President, Europe Region.

Simon has worked for Airbus for more than 20 years. From 1998 to 2002, he held various leadership positions for Airbus in the UK in engineering, operations, and procurement services. He joined Airbus Central Entity in Toulouse, France, in 2003 as an internal consultant to SVP International Cooperation. Later, he held executive leadership roles on a wide range of Industrial Cooperation and Offset programs supporting sales campaigns for all business units across Airbus’ key regions. 

Prior to joining Airbus, Simon started his career at Royal Ordnance Factories in the UK as an apprentice machinist finishing as head of Computer Numerical Control Programming and Planning.

Simon holds an HNC degree in Production and Mechanical Engineering from Trent University and a Master of Science degree in Engineering and Business Management from Warwick University, UK. In 1990, he was seconded to the Australian Department of Defence. Simon is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt professional.