Britten-Norman, manufacturer of the iconic Islander aircraft, has appointed Ben Smith as head of aftermarket to lead its global support strategy and drive aftermarket growth.

Ben brings more than a decade of experience in technical sales, digital services and aviation support, having previously led Garmin’s UK and EMEA aviation sales efforts. During his time at Garmin, he worked closely with Britten-Norman on avionics integration programmes, including the rollout of TXi and GTN Xi systems, while supporting a portfolio of fleet operators, OEMs, MROs and government clients.

In his new role, Ben will oversee Britten-Norman’s global strategy across spares, repairs, upgrades and operator support, with priorities including modernising internal systems, boosting responsiveness and delivering customer-focused solutions to maximise the lifetime value of the Islander fleet. “Joining Britten-Norman at such a transformative time is a real privilege,” he says. “This is a brand with deep aviation heritage and an exciting future. I'm looking forward to working with the team to elevate the aftermarket experience, strengthen our relationships with operators worldwide and help shape the next chapter of the Britten-Norman story.”

A licensed private pilot with a first-class honours degree in Aerospace Technology, Ben is also an alumnus of the RAF's University of London Air Squadron, where he gained early exposure to military aviation and leadership. With his engineering background, flying experience and commercial knowledge, Ben understands the challenges operators face and is focused on delivering practical solutions that meet their needs.

“Ben's extensive understanding of avionics, strong operator relationships and proven ability to implement customer-focused solutions will be instrumental as we upgrade our systems and expand our aftermarket offering. Our goal is clear: to make operating an Islander more efficient, sustainable and valuable than ever before,” comments business development director Lara Harrison.

Backed by new investment, Britten-Norman is transforming its support offering to help operators unlock greater efficiency, reliability and value from their aircraft.