• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Tuesday September 29 2026

Former Airbus MD appointed as chair of West’s first Mayoral Development Zone

Aerospace veteran Sir Iain Gray has been appointed independent chair of the UK’s first Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ), tasked with steering one of the country’s largest regeneration programmes: Brabazon & the West Innovation Arc in South Gloucestershire and north Bristol.

The MDZ designation, announced earlier this year, unlocks enhanced devolved powers to accelerate delivery of up to 40,000 new homes and 40,000 jobs over coming decades, with the potential to contribute up to £20 billion to the national economy.

Sir Iain, who began his career as an engineer at BAE Systems in Filton and later served as managing director of Airbus UK and chief executive of Innovate UK, brings deep regional knowledge and national industry connections to the role.

He will provide strategic oversight across the zone, working with councils, developers, universities and government to turn long-term plans into built reality.

The West Innovation Arc is already the fastest-growing part of the UK’s fastest-growing regional economy, anchored by advanced manufacturers including Airbus and Rolls-Royce, alongside major R&D facilities at Bristol & Bath Science Park and UWE Bristol.

Brabazon, the £2 billion new town being delivered by YTL UK on the former Filton Airfield, is central to the MDZ. Work is underway on up to 6,500 homes, a 15-acre park, three schools, sustainable transport links and the 20,000-capacity Aviva Arena, with the first of two new railway stations due to open this autumn.

The project is currently shortlisted by government to become one of the next generation of new towns, a status that would further support infrastructure funding and planning certainty.

West of England Mayor Helen Godwin said Sir Iain’s appointment came at “an exciting time” for the region’s first MDZ, stressing the need to deliver the transport links required to support new homes and jobs.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner MP welcomed the appointment, saying his expertise would help “unlock thousands of new homes, jobs, and investment for the West of England”.

Sir Iain said: “Since starting my career as an engineer at BAE Systems in Filton, I have spent much of my professional life at the heart of what is now the Mayoral Development Zone… This represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver sustainable growth.”