Gary Poole

Director Programme Management

As Director Programme Management of Aquila since May 2023, Gary is responsible for the delivery of all projects and programmes across the business. Gary has over 30 years experience in Project & Programme leadership gained across a wide range of industries including Defence, Aerospace, Automotive and Construction.

Gary began his career as an engineering apprentice before moving into production engineering and then into project management. He earnt a M.Sc in Programme Management, which he studied at Manchester University.

Before joining Aquila, 2023 Gary was Senior Vice President Programme Management at Meggitt PLC, a global tier 1 supplier to the major aerospace engine and airframe OEMs. In this role he was responsible for all aspects of programme management across the four Meggitt business units covering 46 locations globally. He successfully transformed the business by embedding mature programme management across the group, engaging all functions and stakeholders into a way of working that delivered significant improvements in schedule adherence, quality, cost and revenues.

Gary is enthusiastic about developing a new generation of project and programme managers, and lectures in the subject, in the UK and in Europe. In his spare time Gary is a keen runner, spending his time scaling the New Forest near his home.