Derek Jordanou-Bailey on Engineering Leadership and Aerospace Innovation

Great engineering isn’t just about brilliant design—it’s about building teams that can deliver solutions better than any individual could alone. In a new interview published in Aerospace Manufacturing, Helix’s Chief Engineer Aerospace Derek Jordanou-Bailey reflects on his 30-year career journey, from apprenticeships at the UK Atomic Energy Authority through leadership roles at Cosworth and Mercedes-AMG HPP to his current mission of establishing Helix as an aerospace powerhouse.

Jordanou-Bailey’s leadership philosophy centres on trust and delegation. After learning the hard way that micromanagement undermines team potential, he shifted to asking the right questions and empowering engineers to solve problems their own way; a approach that consistently produced superior results. That philosophy now shapes Helix’s aerospace division as the company rapidly scales from consultancy to volume production. Recently achieving EN9100 certification and targeting EASA Part 21 G and J regulatory approval by the end of 2027, Helix is establishing itself as a trusted partner for aerospace customers seeking world-class electric motor and drive unit solutions.

For Jordanou-Bailey, the journey from shop floor apprentice to aerospace leader circles back to the same principle: “Everything comes back to people, people, people.”

Read the full interview: A Real Team Leader: Derek Jordanou-Bailey on Engineering Leadership and Aerospace Innovation — Aerospace Manufacturing January 2026