Bennett’s engineering background with BAE Systems, including 12 years spent in the Middle East, gives him an innate understanding of innovation and how important it is for the region, especially with Middle East countries looking to diversify their economies.
He returns to the Middle East where he previously had a nine-year stint as a director and then vice president for several key regional markets for BAE Systems. Before heading back to the UK in early 2011 he was based in Abu Dhabi and was responsible for the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Pakistan, giving him a strong understanding of the region.
His return to Abu Dhabi sees the wider Central region fall under his remit, following his posting in the UK where he was responsible for the breadth of BAE Systems’ business development in Europe and the Americas.
Martin Bennett, Managing Director, Central, BAE Systems, said: “I’m very pleased to be back in the Middle East at a time when the aerospace and engineering sectors are really beginning to flourish here. The UAE has emphasised the engineering career options open to Emirati youth, and some significant work has been done to evolve BAE Systems’ role in this, so maintaining momentum is a key aim for us. We were pleased recently to announce our internship programme with Mubadala and we now have five Emirati interns based at our military air business in North West England.”
He added: “Enhancing the opportunities BAE Systems gives to our customers in the Middle East is also an area we’re continually focusing on, so strengthening existing local partnerships as well as forging new ones is high on our agenda. I’m looking forward to increasing our presence in the region and evolving what our in-country teams can deliver to provide maximum support to customers and partners.”
Bennett’s career began as an avionics engineer with GEC Marconi which led on to roles at British Aerospace and MBB among others. Bennett has an MBA from Leicester University and is currently pursuing a DBA through the University of Liverpool.