A joint partnership between
What is Endeavr Wales?
Airbus Endeavr Wales is a place-based innovation programme that uses Airbus Defence and Space's real technology challenges to drive R&T collaboration and economic growth specifically in Wales.
By running competitive challenge calls and co-funding projects with Welsh universities, SMEs, and startups, Endeavr accelerates early-stage research through to proof-of-concept — delivering solutions for Airbus while creating skilled jobs and attracting additional investment into the Welsh R&T ecosystem.
The programme brings together innovators, academics, and industry leaders to foster collaboration, stimulate research, and establish the foundations for regional sustainable growth — in line with the Welsh Government's Wales Innovates strategy.
What we do
Founding Partners
Each partner brings a distinct and essential contribution to the programme's mission.
The devolved government for Wales co-funds the programme on a fifty-fifty basis alongside Airbus, aligned with its Wales Innovates strategy for driving growth in the Welsh economy through innovation.
A world-leading aerospace, defence and space company, Airbus sets the technology challenges, evaluates proposals at Pitch Day, and works directly with funded teams — embedding Welsh innovation into its global technology roadmap.
Ranked 5th among UK universities in the Research Excellence Framework for quality, Cardiff University represents the Welsh higher education sector, connecting Endeavr challenges with research expertise across Wales.
"As a founding member of the Airbus Endeavr Wales programme, we are proud to have supported this initiative for the past 15 years — it is a powerful model for place-based innovation that truly benefits Wales."
Case Studies
See how Endeavr-funded projects are tackling real Airbus challenges and delivering impact for Welsh organisations.
Endeavr funding helped AVoptics develop ruggedised fibre-optic and free-space-optical communication technology for aerospace and defence platforms.
Wrexham University's Glyndŵr Innovations is developing flight-ready hyperspectral imaging technology with Airbus for environmental and Earth observation applications.
Swansea University tested perovskite solar cells under stratospheric conditions to power Airbus' High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites.
Latest News
Airbus Endeavr Wales is proud to announce its support for an innovative project led by the University of South Wales (USW) and Bangor University, aimed at detecting harmful pollutants in the aircraft industry.
A unique partnership helping grow the Welsh economy by turning innovative ideas into reality using world class research continues to go from strength to strength.
Governance
The Board of Endeavr are responsible for providing strategic direction, reviewing the financial commitment and overseeing the governance and management of its undertakings. In 2022 the Board, who meet quarterly, approved the move to a Challenge led approach to commission Airbus' technology needs in an effort to increase engagement with the programme.
Head of UK Sales and Future Growth
Airbus Defence and Space
An Engineer by trade, Richard has held a number of senior engineering and management leadership positions with Airbus Defence and Space over the past 30 years. A specialist in cryptography and key management, and now cyber security, he has extensive experience of working on multiple, cross-national programmes and fully appreciates the challenges presented by the increasing cyber threat to both government and business. His current role is Head of UK Sales and Future Growth for the Cyber Security business in the UK.
Deputy Director, Industrial Transformation and Foundational Economy Division
Welsh Government
Áine is the Welsh Government representative on the Board of Airbus Endeavr Wales where she is the Deputy Director for the Industrial Transformation and Foundational Economy Division. The division comprises High Value Manufacturing, Industrial Decarbonisation, Energy and Steel and the Foundational Economy.
Áine joined the Welsh Government in November 2021, having previously spent 25 years working in the criminal justice field. A qualified Solicitor and Probation Officer, she was most recently responsible for managing transformational change programmes and COVID response for HM Prison and Probation Service in Wales. She lives in West Wales with her husband and two crazy spaniels.
Senior Project Manager
Welsh Government
Leighton is the Welsh Government representative on the Executive team of Endeavr and is a Senior Manager within the Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy group.
Leighton is a chartered Electrical and Electronic Engineer and member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and has a wealth of experience within Welsh Government having delivered largescale Intelligent Transport System projects, capital construction projects along with assessment, delivery and management of EU funded research projects. He was also responsible for relationship management of Cardiff Airport and aviation route development activities along with delivery of major international motorsport activities in Wales.
Leighton, has experience of working with large industrial partners and of academia having been previously seconded from Welsh Government to the University of South Wales as Director of the Wales Transport Research Centre.
Company Secretary
Airbus Endeavr Wales
Julia, a qualified solicitor, has been part of Endeavr since its inception and has seen it grow and evolve significantly over the years.
Julia is Head of Corporate Law for Airbus Defence and Space in the UK and has worked for Airbus since 2006, undertaking a number of different roles and working on all company legal topics. Prior to that she trained as a lawyer at Eversheds LLP and before that worked in sales and marketing for a subsidiary of what is now Tata Steel. Julia is also a pension trustee and an accredited mediator.
Julia holds an LLB (Hons) from Bristol University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Cardiff University and also Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Sales and Marketing from Loughborough University.
Strategic Partnerships Manager
Cardiff University
Victoria is the Higher Education Institution (HEI) representative on the Executive team of Endeavr, and is a Strategic Partnerships Manager within the Research and Innovation Department at Cardiff University
Victoria joined Cardiff University in 2019. Working closely with public, private, third sector organisations and the academic community at Cardiff University, she offers support for developing, nurturing, and managing external strategic partnerships, to deliver outcomes across research, innovation, skills, and civic mission.
Prior to joining Cardiff University, Victoria had a 10+ year career working in recruitment and HR. She has a wealth of experience in employability and skills, talent acquisition, and developing people strategy, across several business sectors. Victoria is passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and has established herself as a University EDI Champion.
Chief Operating Officer
Airbus Endeavr Wales
As a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Nick has spent many years delivering large systems and service solutions for government, defence and commercial customers. He has presented business cases at board level for pursuit decisions and concluded contract negotiations in the UK, Europe and Asia.
Today, as the UK research and technology key account manager for public funding and co-operations for Airbus Defence and Space UK, Nick works with businesses and academic institutions to inspire innovation that drives economic growth.
Head of Design Authority and Technical Office
Airbus Defence and Space
Stephanie is the Airbus Defence and Space representative on the Executive team for Airbus Endeavr Wales and is Head of the Design Authority and Technical Office within Connected Intelligence, a programme line within Airbus Defence and Space Division.
Stephanie joined Airbus in 1999 as a Business Graduate and has worked in numerous departments within the company including Marketing, the System Design Centre, Engineering, Innovation and Research and Technology. She was also seconded to NITE works in 2003 until 2006. Currently based in Newport, Stephanie now manages a transversal Architecture department based across the UK, France and Germany.
Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology Management from the University of Bradford.
Head of Finance
Airbus Defence and Space
Tony represents finance as a member of the Endeavr Executive Committee. He joined Airbus in 2003 and during this time has held a number of positions within the UK as well as in France and Germany. He currently heads up a team responsible for developing and supporting the financial aspects of customer proposals and pricing, along with strategic programmes and investment opportunities.
Tony is a CIMA qualified Accountant who lives in the South-West of England and before joining Airbus, worked at British Telecom, Debenhams and Orange in a variety of operational and commercial finance roles.
Professor in the School of Computer Science & Informatics
Cardiff University
Stuart represents Cardiff University on the Airbus Endeavr Wales board and is a Professor in the School of Computer Science & Informatics with research interests in human computer interaction, mobile communications, artificial intelligence and data science.
He joined Cardiff University as a postdoctoral researcher in 2000, before becoming a lecturer in 2002, and progressing to a Professor in 2016. Between 2015 and 2024, Stuart was Head of the School of Computer Science & Informatics, during which time the School more than doubled their number of staff and students, moved to a bespoke new building, and launched the National Software Academy.
Stuart holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and a PhD in Graph Theory from the University of Reading.
Whether you're a Welsh university, SME, or startup with an idea that could solve an Airbus technology challenge — we want to hear from you.
