About us

+ The Aerospace Digital Visualisation Suite

The Aerospace Digital Visualisation Suite was established in 2020 following a successful bid to the Advancing Manufacturing Challenge Fund (AMCF).

The programme is being delivered in partnership with the European Structural and Investment Funds Programme 2014-2020, specifically, the European Regional Development Fund, as part of the Scottish Programme for Research, Innovation & Technology Eco-System (SPRITE).

AMCF supports projects aimed at helping SMEs develop their manufacturing capabilities towards long-term transformational change.

South Ayrshire Council is the lead organisation for both the Aerospace Digital Visualisation Suite and its sister project Supply Chain AeroSpace. The project is also supported by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), the Faculty of Engineering in the University of Strathclyde, Ayrshire College, Ayrshire Engineering Alliance, Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service and Scottish Enterprise.

The Aerospace Digital Visualisation Suite will be available until December 2022.

Meet the team

Brian Ronald

Applications Specialist/Project Manager

As the technologist, Brian’s role involves programme management and delivery of the ADVS.

With a wealth of experience in the aerospace industry and visualisation technologies, Brian’s experience gives him a sound base to understand companies’ requirements and deliver tailored solutions. He has a passion for exploring new technologies and an ability to see how these can be applied to industry.

Brian has 29 years of aerospace manufacturing experience with a Tier 1 company. Starting with a Modern Apprenticeship, Brian has worked through many roles on the shop floor, to Digital Manufacturing Lead, achieving a BSc in Design Engineering Management from the Open University. He has a passion for education and is involved in numerous educational bodies. He has delivered several successful educational programmes, earning him the Helen Dowie Award for Lifelong Learning in 2017.

Kenny McRae

Engineering Software Developer

Kenny is the specialist for the 3D asset creation and programming needed to create AR/VR programmes for the ADVS. Kenny joined us full-time in November 2021, following a successful student placement via NMIS, during which he worked within the ADVS team as a Software Programmer, rapidly prototyping and developing visualisations for a wide range of SMEs.

With an MEng Civil Engineering from Strathclyde University, Kenny is currently undertaking an EngD with the university, focussing on ‘Next Generation Human Machine Interfaces’.

Alison Blair

Project Lead

Alison has over 35 years’ experience in local government, living and working in South Ayrshire. She focuses on developing and delivering projects that support the South Ayrshire economy, informed by her partnerships with industry, academia, economic development agencies and the community, and has a strong track record in securing external funding to extend the value of the council’s financial investment.

Alison supports the project through partnership management and ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of grant.