Making ideas happen

Earlier this month, we came together to celebrate the conclusion of the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) — a programme that has helped transform the innovation landscape for aerospace SMEs across the UK.

The event marked more than just the end of a programme; it marked the success of a collaborative effort that delivered real results.

Harriet Wollerton, NATEP’s Programme Director explains more:

The NATEP programme is a great example of successful partnership between government and industry and something I have been proud to be part of over the last seven years.

The programme was sized and arranged to suit the needs of small supply chain companies and projects. The mentoring and support from our skilled and experienced Technology Managers and wider team has helped deliver ground breaking projects. But behind those projects are truely inspiring and dedicated businesses producing exciting and innovative products, materials and manufacturing processes; helping to anchor manufacturing and high value jobs in the UK and supporting major advances in productivity throughout the aerospace sector. It has been a pleasure to work with them and I’m excited to see how their technologies will continue to shape the future.

About NATEP

Launched in 2013, NATEP was created with a clear purpose: to help small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK aerospace supply chain turn their technology ideas into reality.

It was led by ADS and Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) along with West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) and North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA), and what made NATEP unique was its supportive, mentoring-led approach. Many of the participating SMEs had little or no experience of applying for government funding. NATEP’s team of experienced Technology Managers guided them through the complexities of grant applications and project delivery, ensuring that promising innovations didn’t fall at the first hurdle.

Each project was reviewed by an industry panel including representatives from Primes such as Airbus, Boeing and Rolls-Royce. This feedback was invaluable in offering insight into how the customer might perceive the idea and helped SMEs deliver an optimised product or solution.

Backed by the Aerospace Technology Institute, NATEP supported over 220 SMEs during its lifetime. It helped those companies develop new product and manufacturing process technologies that boosted their competitiveness, enhanced their capabilities, and opened the door to new business opportunities with higher-tier organisations, both in the UK and globally.

In reflecting on Phase 3 of the project, the results are impressive:

  • 85 completed innovation projects
  • Over £200 million expected return on investment within five years
  • 192 jobs created, with 184 more forecast
  • £6 returned for every £1 invested

We invite you to hear directly from the engineers, innovators and business owners who benefited from NATEP funding in our final video. Their stories illustrate the true value of programmes like this — not just in economic impact, but in confidence, growth, and opportunity.

Further insight into individual projects is available from our Innovation Showcase video series accessible on Youtube, with more detailed explanations and a look at the technology and manufacturing processes.

Why innovation programmes matter

NATEP shows what’s possible when funding is paired with guidance and support. It also reminds us of the critical importance of continuing to back our SME supply chain with targeted investment, especially in a sector as complex and fast-moving as aerospace.

The importance of supporting companies in their technological ambitions cannot be overstated — nor can the need to sustain and expand funding streams that help SMEs thrive.

As we close this chapter, ADS remains committed to collaborating with organisations, partners, and supporting bodies in securing a resilient and robust supply chain. Harriet Wollerton is now leading our Supply Chain Solutions Framework, a toolkit for industry, providing knowledge, advice and support and delivering programmes such as SC21 and Aero Excellence.