Formation of A|D|S "heralds the emergence of a new power advancing the UK's AeroSpace, Defence and Security industries."

13:39 GMT, October 1, 2009 A|D|S, the UK's AeroSpace, Defence and Security trade body today (Thursday) formally begins operations following the merger of the Association of Police and Public Security Suppliers (APPSS), the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) and the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).

A|D|S will be driven by the priorities and needs of its members. The members will oversee operations through strong governance procedures and senior, world-renowned industry figures are at the forefront of this structure as follows:

• President Alex Dorrian, Thales UK
• Vice President Civil Aviation Tony Wood, Rolls-Royce
• Vice President Defence Sandy Wilson, General Dynamics (UK)
• Vice President Security Stephen Phipson, Smiths Detection
• Vice President Space Richard Peckham, EADS Astrium

Farnborough International, responsible for the world-renowned biennial Farnborough Airshow and the inaugural Bahrain International Airshow to take place in January 2010, will be a distinct brand within the A|D|S Group.
A|D|S will also maintain SBAC's relationship with the relevant regional
trade associations for the aerospace, defence and security sectors.

Further information is available on the new A|D|S website, also launched today, at www.adsgroup.org.uk.

Ian Godden, Chairman of A|D|S, said:

"Today is an exciting time for the UK's aerospace, defence and security industries. Bringing together three strong trade associations, representing three successful sectors of our economy, will deliver greater benefits, stronger representation and higher-quality events and services to our members than ever before.

"These sectors of the nation's economy represent global success stories that employ hundreds of thousands of people across the country, delivering billions of pounds to our economy. Securing the strength of these sectors for the future of our nation's well-being is a key aim of A|D|S and is a task that everyone in the UK should support.

"We are also very fortunate and delighted to be able to call on the expertise of such well-known UK industry figures as senior representatives of our members within our governance procedures. Our members will be the driving force behind A|D|S and will guide us to serve their interests to the utmost. Harnessing their views via our governance procedures, overseen by our President and Vice Presidents, will enable us to speak on behalf of the entire aerospace, defence and security industries that are a hugely successful part of our economy and high-tech services and manufacturing base."