Interim and Fractional Leadership for Aerospace and Defence

Rising defence spending is changing what aerospace and defence businesses need from their leaders.

The UK has committed to raising core defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, in line with the NATO commitment agreed in 2025. Primes and their suppliers are expanding production and taking on larger programmes.

That growth is testing leadership teams across the sector. Larger contracts need experienced programme and operations directors, and finance teams need to manage more complex contracts and investment.

Novo provides interim management and fractional leadership for aerospace and defence primes and suppliers, from programme and operations directors to CFOs and Managing Directors.

Discuss an interim or fractional appointment

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When Aerospace and Defence Businesses Bring in Interim Executives

Common situations include:

  • A programme needs an experienced director quickly
  • Production needs to scale to meet new contracts
  • A senior leader leaves during a critical phase
  • An acquisition or partnership needs integrating
  • A supplier needs to strengthen its leadership to win larger work
  • A permanent executive search is underway

Each interim mandate is tied to a specific programme, contract or production milestone.

Interim and Fractional Leaders for the Defence Supply Chain

Growth in defence spending reaches well beyond the primes.

Many suppliers are smaller, privately owned or PE-backed businesses that need to grow quickly. A fractional CFO or COO can give them senior experience as they scale, and an interim leader can step in when a specific challenge needs full-time attention.

Read how our interim Operations Director stabilised operations at a major international airport.

Testimonials

Novo delivered exactly what we needed at a moment of real pressure. The interim operations director brought calm, clarity and genuine support to our teams. Confidence returned quickly and the airport regained its rhythm far sooner than we expected.

Interim Operations Director, International Airport

Interim and Fractional Roles in Aerospace and Defence

We find interim and fractional leaders across aerospace and defence, including:

Our Sector Specialists

jon hollier

Jon Hollier

ryan mills

Ryan Mills

dale perrett

Dale Perrett

jon hollier

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Jon is a Founding Director of Novo Executive Search & Selection. Beyond establishing and developing Novo, his extensive experience covers a wide range of disciplines across commercial and the third...

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ryan mills

Ryan Mills

Director

Ryan is a Director of Novo Executive Search and Selection, with extensive experience recruiting senior management and board level professionals across a multitude of sectors. His client base ranges from...

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dale perrett

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Dale is one of the Founding Directors of Novo Executive Search and Selection. He is part of the Novo leadership team that drives the business. He remains passionate about working...

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Related Case Studies

Need interim leadership for a defence programme?

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Permanent Aerospace and Defence Leadership

For permanent appointments, see our aerospace and defence executive search page.

Interim & Fractional Leaders for Aerospace & Defence FAQs