Britten-Norman, manufacturers of the Islander regional aircraft, has named Ben Smith as its new Head of Aftermarket to lead the company’s global support strategy and focus on growing its aftermarket services.
Smith joins Britten-Norman from Garmin, where he led UK and EMEA aviation sales and worked closely with Britten-Norman, supporting avionics integration programmes – including the rollout of TXi and GTN Xi systems – while working with a wide portfolio of fleet operators, OEMs, MROs, and government clients.
As Head of Aftermarket, Smith will oversee Britten-Norman’s strategy for spares, repairs, upgrades, and operator support. His main goals are to modernise internal systems, improve responsiveness, and provide customer-focused solutions to maximise the value of the Islander fleet.
“This is a brand with deep aviation heritage and an exciting future,” Smith said. “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.”
Lara Harrison, Britten-Norman’s Business Development Director, said that Smith’s appointment is a key part of the company’s commitment to providing excellent support.
“His 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,” she said.
The company, backed by new investment, is currently working to transform its support offerings to help operators achieve greater efficiency and reliability.
Ben Smith will oversee Britten-Norman’s strategy for spares, repairs, upgrades, and operator support.
