Laurence Barrett Journey from Engineer to Aerospace CEO and Founder

Laurence Barrett Laurence Barrett is a pioneering aviation engineer, entrepreneur and active member of the Brunel University Alumni Association. He has worked and lived in Singapore since 2014. His career in aerospace started as a systems engineer in 2002 in September 2012 he started an MBA in Aviation at Brunel University after making the challenging decision to leave a successful career as an engineer. After graduating He moved to Singapore working as a self-employed Aviation Business Specialist. Then in May 2015 he made the daunting decision to found his own aviation company Barrett Aerospace. “And I do actively employ people that are passionate about the jobs that they do. So much so that I would even create the job around the person” I sat down with Laurence in his engineering workshop for a conversation that covered his path from engineer, then founder, a few of the exciting developments that are occurring in the aerospace industry and the role that Brunel has played in his career and business development. “The MBA taught me a lot but I think the real world teaches you a lot more, and when you have something that’s a deadline that’s looming” This conversation is part of a new venture with the Brunel Alumni Association (Singapore). The format is based on my Entrepreneurs in Action series and we are looking to evolve it into a stand alone podcast series focused on Brunel Alumni based in Singapore. Send your ideas and suggestions to me on LinkedIn. So now without further delay let’s begin As well as: 0:02:00 Leaving school with less than exemplary A-level results getting him into Polytechnic or RAF, or A-level repeat 0:02:58 Followed by 15 years in industry with Multinational companies 0:03:31 Learning how companies work by changing roles every 3 to 4 years 0:04:39 The role that overwhelmed him and revealed what he was not good at 0:05:05 supply supply relationship/analyst or engineer and the opportunities presented 0:07:14 Decision process of the next career move that led to quitting and a full-time MBA at Brunel University 0:09:12 Consulting wife, family and friends 0:10:48 Learning as a mature student and why choose Brunel University 0:12:33 Thinking about career options after the MBA 0:13:40 The realisation of the goal of doing something financially successful in the commercial aerospace industry 0:15:41 The Human-Powered Aircraft the Merlion Project 0:15:56 A bad joke by the host that’s cleverly sidestepped by Laurence 0:16:04 Back to the serious business of human powered flight 0:18:47 Barrett Aerospace’s journey from drones to other aircraft and the effects of covid 0:19:53 electronic aircraft and electronic flight cooperation with Eviation and Deadlines 0:21:01 The importance building a network over time in an industry that enables working with other people and collaborating 0:21:27 project on time and on budget, the Alice Aircraft, July 2019 Paris 0:21:56 Eventually not just an engineer but the CEO and Founder 0:22:32 Creating jobs and roles around passionate, determined and driven people to create innovation 0:23:32 The real world need to bring engineering and return on investment together to the Human-Powered Aircraft Merlion Project 0:25:37 Working with other companies and start-ups that use crowdfunding and other non-traditional finance 0:26:24 how can and does the Singapore Alumni Association help? 0:31:08 Barrett Aerospace looking for engineering students for industrial placements 0:32:35 Finally we can be both contacted via LinkedIn A reminder if you’re a Brunel Alumni or a current student and you wish to contact Laurence Barrett or myself Neville J Mckenzie you can do so through LinkedIn Links: https://www.barrettaerospace.com/ www.eviation.co https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurence-barrett-ab164846/ linkedin.com/in/njmckenzie