From Aerospace to Urban Air Mobility
โ๏ธ From Aerospace to Urban Air Mobility: Mapping Executive Leadership Transitions
The Next Leap in Aviation
The aerospace sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. As electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology shifts from concept to commercial reality, demand for experienced executive leadership is accelerating.
At Wyman Bain, we’ve analysed the talent pathways guiding aerospace executives into the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sector projected to be worth $45 billion globally by 2030. The opportunity is vast, but so is the leadership challenge.
๐ The Urban Air Mobility Opportunity
The numbers speak for themselves:
- ๐ Global UAM Market (2030): $45 billion
- ๐ Expected CAGR (2023–2030): 32%+
- ๐ฌ๐ง Active UK eVTOL Startups: 25+ (with Vertical Aerospace among the frontrunners)
- ๐ผ Typical eVTOL Executive Salary: £100,000–£250,000+
- ๐ธ Funding Raised by Top 10 eVTOL Firms (2024): $7.5 billion+
This explosive growth is creating intense competition for senior leaders with a unique blend of regulatory, engineering, operational, and commercial expertise.
๐ง Aerospace Leadership: Deep Expertise, Ready for Transition
The UK’s aerospace industry employs over 110,000 professionals and contributes more than £11 billion to the national economy. Senior leaders in this sector bring:
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance (CAA, EASA, FAA)
- Experience in manufacturing scale-up and operational delivery
- Proven ability to lead complex aviation programmes
- A commitment to safety and quality in highly regulated environments
- Strategic insight in global B2B aviation markets
These are precisely the skills the UAM sector needs as it moves from R&D to real-world operations.
๐ Mapping the Transition: 3 Key Leadership Pathways
We've identified three core transition routes where traditional aerospace expertise meets eVTOL opportunity:
1๏ธโฃ Certification & Regulatory Affairs
๐งญ “80% of eVTOL firms cite regulatory approval as their #1 leadership challenge.” – UAM Industry Survey 2024
The Next Leap in Aviation
The aerospace sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. As electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology shifts from concept to commercial reality, demand for experienced executive leadership is accelerating.
At Wyman Bain, we’ve analysed the talent pathways guiding aerospace executives into the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) sector projected to be worth $45 billion globally by 2030. The opportunity is vast, but so is the leadership challenge.
๐ The Urban Air Mobility Opportunity
The numbers speak for themselves:
- ๐ Global UAM Market (2030): $45 billion
- ๐ Expected CAGR (2023–2030): 32%+
- ๐ฌ๐ง Active UK eVTOL Startups: 25+ (with Vertical Aerospace among the frontrunners)
- ๐ผ Typical eVTOL Executive Salary: £100,000–£250,000+
- ๐ธ Funding Raised by Top 10 eVTOL Firms (2024): $7.5 billion+
This explosive growth is creating intense competition for senior leaders with a unique blend of regulatory, engineering, operational, and commercial expertise.
๐ง Aerospace Leadership: Deep Expertise, Ready for Transition
The UK’s aerospace industry employs over 110,000 professionals and contributes more than £11 billion to the national economy. Senior leaders in this sector bring:
- In-depth knowledge of regulatory compliance (CAA, EASA, FAA)
- Experience in manufacturing scale-up and operational delivery
- Proven ability to lead complex aviation programmes
- A commitment to safety and quality in highly regulated environments
- Strategic insight in global B2B aviation markets
These are precisely the skills the UAM sector needs as it moves from R&D to real-world operations.
๐ Mapping the Transition: 3 Key Leadership Pathways
We've identified three core transition routes where traditional aerospace expertise meets eVTOL opportunity:
๏ปฟ
1๏ธโฃ Certification & Regulatory Affairs
๐งญ “80% of eVTOL firms cite regulatory approval as their #1 leadership challenge.” – UAM Industry Survey 2024
| Traditional Role | UAM Role | Key Transferable Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Head of Airworthiness | Head of Regulatory Affairs | Aviation authority relationships, compliance strategy |
| Certification Programme Lead | Compliance Director | Certification process, safety cases, regulatory submissions |
2๏ธโฃ Manufacturing & Operations Scale-Up
| Traditional Role | UAM Role | Key Transferable Skills |
|---|---|---|
| VP Manufacturing | Director of Production | Lean processes, supply chain leadership, cost control |
| Head of Engineering | CTO / VP Engineering | Systems integration, composites, certification-focused design |
3๏ธโฃ Technology Integration & Innovation
| Traditional Role | UAM Role | Key Transferable Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Engineer (Avionics) | CTO / Head of Systems | Flight control, autonomy, safety-critical systems |
| Head of R&D | Head of Innovation | Product development, prototyping, cross-functional leadership |
๐ Why Research-Led Executive Search Delivers Better Outcomes
At Wyman Bain, our
research-led approach goes far beyond recruitment databases. We uncover hidden talent the kind of leaders not actively applying, but open to the right opportunity.
๐ In a recent market mapping project:
- 67% of aerospace leaders open to eVTOL roles weren’t listed on typical recruitment platforms
- 80–90% of our placed candidates remained in post for 12+ months, underlining our commitment to long-term fit
Our transparent, auditable methodology gives clients a real edge in a highly competitive hiring landscape.
๐งช Case Study: From Aerospace to eVTOL
Client: Leading UK eVTOL startup
Role: VP Engineering
Challenge: A unique combination of aerospace certification knowledge and electric propulsion experience
Solution: Wyman Bain mapped over
250 aerospace firms, shortlisted
6 top-tier candidates, and placed a leader with experience running a
£200m aerospace programme and scaling electric propulsion systems.
๐ Results:
- Time to shortlist: 7 weeks
- Retention: 18+ months (ongoing)
- Client Feedback: “Wyman Bain’s research process uncovered candidates we would never have found through conventional channels.”
๐ Strategic Recommendations for UAM Firms
- Start early.
Begin leadership searches 6–12 months ahead of critical commercial milestones. - Broaden your lens.
Look beyond the eVTOL sector traditional aerospace leaders bring invaluable experience. - Go beyond databases.
A research-led executive search approach ensures depth, not just reach. - Invest in onboarding.
Support incoming leaders in navigating the cultural and technical nuances of UAM.
โ๏ธ Final Thoughts
Urban Air Mobility is not just a technological leap it’s a leadership evolution. For eVTOL startups and scaling firms, success depends on securing the right executive talent at the right time.
At
Wyman Bain, we specialise in
research-led executive search across medtech, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and more. If you're building your senior team in this space, we’d be glad to help.
๐ฉ
Contact Us
Email: enquiries@wymanbain.com
Web:
www.wymanbain.com
