Professor Mark Westwood is the Head of Centre and Professor of Aeronautics at Cranfield University. Mark spent his early career at QinetiQ, working primarily in aerospace research and development across a range of civil and military technology demonstrator programmes covering navigation, guidance and control with extensive experience of simulation and flight test. In 2012, Mark took the position of Head of Computational Aerodynamics at Aircraft Research Association, leading a sustained growth in industrial R&D activity partnered with a range of international aerospace OEMs and UK MoD/dstl. Mark joined the Transport Systems Catapult in 2015 to lead R&D projects developing automated and autonomous vehicle technologies, with highlights including the HumanDrive connected and autonomous road vehicle project with Nissan as the lead OEM. In 2017 he moved to the position of CTO, and in 2019 as CTO of the newly formed Connected Places Catapult, led on the Catapults technology strategy and industrial research and development, resulting in the development of the Catapult’s activities in drones, Advanced Air Mobility and sustainable aviation. He joined Cranfield University in late 2021 as Head of Centre and Professor of Aeronautics, where he leads a team of 45 academic and research staff. The Centre for Aeronautics is one of the world’s largest centres for postgraduate education and research in aircraft design, aerodynamics, advanced modelling and simulation tools and methods. Mark’s current research interests include sustainable aviation, guidance and control, air traffic management, simulation, and autonomous systems. He is also a member of the CAA’s Environmental Sustainability Panel, a specialist, non-statutory body providing expert technical advice to the CAA.