Mick Mansell Retires

On the 6th December 2002 a small group of colleagues and their partners met at the Gibbon Bridge Hotel to celebrate Mick's career in aerospace as he was to retire from BAES at the end of the year. The core of the group should have been formed by four 'Kingston' people who had known and worked with Mick throughout his 34 years with the Company: Mike Sharland, John Farrow, Diane Raymond and Lambert Dopping-Heppenstal, the host for the evening. In the event, Diane could not attend due to a family illness.

Following the dinner Lambert gave a resume od Mick's career. He joined Hawker Siddeley, Kingston in 1968 as an avionics engineer working on flight control systems, and in 1973 moved to Dunsfold, initially on simulation but from 1976 was in charge of Sea Harrier avionic systems development. Back to Kingston in 1980 he was Assistant Head of Avionics (Computing) then Head of Avionics in 1982. In 1984 he was appointed Chief Designer Harrier I and became Kingston's Executive Director, Design in 1987.

In 1988 he moved to the Strand HQ as Director, Projects and thence to Warton in 1989 as Director of Advanced Technology. From 1995 to 1997 he was located at McDonnell-Douglas St Louis as BAe's Director and Chief Engineer, Joint Strike Fighter. From 1997 until retirement he held Warton Directorships of Business Development, Future Systems Concepts and Technology and, finally, Future Air Systems.

Mick will retain some links with industry as a consultant and hopes to continue his association with Manchester University but mostly he is looking forward to his new retirement lifestyle with his family (and some golf!)

The Hawker Association wishes Mick a long and happy retirement (and a lower handicap).