Two Bristol aerospace workers have been named as rising stars of the industry across the West of England.
Ben Smith, who works at Rolls-Royce’s Bristol aero-engine plant, and Linda Coode, collections manager at the Aerospace Bristol museum, topped their respective categories at Wednesday’s Aerospace Ambassador Awards. 
The awards are organised by the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), the membership trade organisation for aerospace and defence companies in the South West, to focus on the cream of the industry and shine a spotlight on their outstanding achievements.
Ben landed the Best Aerospace Engineer trophy while Linda’s Best Aerospace Media Ambassador accolade was for her video production on the history of Concorde.
The hotly contested categories were among seven awards handed out at the ceremony, which took place under the wings of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol.
Linda Coode said: “All of us here at Aerospace Bristol are thrilled to see our Concorde video recognised in the aerospace industry. The video was – and is – a labour of love from all of us involved. Meeting so many people who worked and flew on the aircraft itself was utterly inspiring and humbling, they retold their tale to us and in return we tried to create a film to help commemorate the aircraft. I hope that we have done everyone justice in this.”
Ben Smith said: ‘’It has been great to work for a company which has given me an enjoyable and absorbing career. I’m extremely proud to have received this award for my work in this field. I’d also like to thank my great colleagues at Rolls-Royce who have supported me and who have also contributed to the design and success of our cutting-edge technology products.”
WEAF business development manager Adrian Harding added: “Congratulations to all the winners of the second Aerospace Ambassador Awards – the brightest and best in the South West’s aerospace and defence sectors.
“And a well done to all the individuals who were shortlisted – the judges had an extremely difficult job, such was the quality of nominations. The South West is a nest of innovation in engineering and manufacturing, and the individuals who have won these awards demonstrate this perfectly.”
The awards were backed by headline sponsors Safran and SKF Aerospace, with individual awards sponsored by Airbus, Castlemead Insurance, Bridgwater & Taunton College, Trowers and Hamlins and Aro PR and Marketing.
The South West is the largest aerospace cluster in the UK and has one of the largest concentrations of aerospace and defence capabilities in Europe, contributing £7bn a year to the economy.
