One of the UK’s leading autonomous vehicle specialists Aurrigo has made a strategic new appointment to drive its aviation activity.
Aurrigo International plc, listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in September 2022, has made Lewis Girdwood its Executive Director of Aviation Technology.
The former Head of Financial Planning and Analysis at EasyJet and Chief Financial Officer of IAG Cargo will be responsible for rolling out the company’s third-generation Auto-DollyTug®. This all-electric, autonomous vehicle combines the utility of a baggage tractor with the ULD carrying capability of an airport dolly all in one.
There will also be a strong focus on introducing the firm’s Auto-Sim® 3D digital twin software to more strategic partners, a technology that can help airlines and airports simulate the impact of electrification and autonomous vehicles in the digital world.
“This is a really exciting time for Aurrigo, with recent partnerships and contracts giving us real momentum in the aviation sector, and we expect more to follow,” explained Lewis Girdwood, who has more than 35 years of experience in corporate finance and aviation.
“Autonomous technology is constantly being spoken about, but there are few companies who are at the stage where they are deploying it in a real-world environment.”
“By the middle of this year, Auto-DollyTug® will demonstrate the movement of luggage and cargo around five airports, delivering greener efficiencies and a potential answer to the sector’s widening skills gap.“
Lewis, who previously held a non-executive audit chair position at Aurrigo, has worked with several high-profile businesses at different stages of their growth and maturity.
He has significant experience in aviation and delivering strong financial performance and will use this expertise to help deliver the company’s ambitious growth plans through the mix of strategic customer partnerships it has signed and those currently in discussion.
David Keene, Chief Executive Officer at Aurrigo, added his support: “Lewis has already proved his value to the business since he came on to the board, and this latest role will tap into his extensive financial and aviation background while his ability to maximize commercial partnerships will be crucial over the next twelve months.”
Lewis’ move has created an opening for a new board member, with Aurrigo welcoming Peter Whiting as a new independent non-executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee.
He has enjoyed a twenty-five-year career as an investment analyst in equity capital markets. He has spent the past twelve years as a non-exec on the board of several public and private companies, including Kooth plc, FDM Group plc, Celebrus Technologies plc, and Team17 Group plc.
