Rolls-Royce chief pays staff tribute as firm eyes rebound

The boss of Rolls-Royce has paid tribute to his workforce as the company looks to bounce back from the ‘unprecedented’ challenges of 2020.

Speaking at the engineering giant’s recent AGM, chief executive Warren East said the firm was confident about the future after the aviation sector was badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Derby is home to the firm’s civil aerospace division at Sinfin, which makes civil aero engines, while its defence business has a site in Raynesway.

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At the AGM, the company said that in the first four months of this year, large engine flying hours were approximately 40% of the levels seen in 2019, supported by demand for cargo flights and the maintenance of key routes.

The company recently landed a maintenance agreement with DHL Express, while a new engine testbed, called Testbed 80, is starting to be used to develop future aero engines and sustainable aviation fuels.

In his address to shareholders, Mr East said: “We faced unprecedented challenges in 2020 with events that were beyond our control.

“We acted quickly and decisively by putting in place the measures necessary to protect our people and our business.

“I would like to thank our colleagues for the dedication and hard work this year and all our stakeholders for their engagement and support.

“Looking ahead, we are confident that the significant restructuring actions we have taken in 2020 will deliver permanent cost reductions, positioning us well for the rebound in international air travel.

“We are committed to our net zero targets and seizing the opportunity of supporting the transition in our end markets to low carbon and net zero carbon solutions.

“In the last few months, we have taken significant steps, including successfully testing 100% sustainable aviation fuels in current generation aircraft engines in Derby, while our Spirit of Innovation all-electric aircraft will take to the air within weeks.”