Leadership changes at Dunlop Aircraft Tyres

Birmingham, UK – Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd's (DATL) owner Liberty Hall Capital Partners has announced a number of key executive changes at the UK-based company.

In a statement 12 April, the private equity firm named Susan McKenna as the new chief executive officer and Shashank Dhawan as chief financial officer of DATL.

McKenna "will lead Dunlop into its next phase of sustained growth," said Rowan Taylor, Liberty Hall's founding and managing partner.

She has a “proven track record” in developing and implementing growth strategies, new-product development and innovation within the aerospace industry.

“We believe the combination of Susan's operational experience and Shashank's financial experience… creates a truly differentiated executive team," continued Taylor.

For her part, McKenna said DATL was “well positioned” to capitalise on continuing commercial aerospace recovery and strong growth in military and freighter end markets.

McKenna brings over three decades of experience in the aerospace and related industries to DATL.

Between 1994 and 2020, she held various roles at United Technologies Corp., a former industrial conglomerate currently merged with Raytheon Technologies.

She also held the executive general manager, engine control services position at Collins Aerospace.

There, McKenna led the standalone aftermarket business, which was formed after the disposal of the OE business to Rolls Royce.

She joins DALT from Sertec Corp., a manufacturer of lightweight body structures and electric powertrain components for major automotive OEMs.

As CFO, Dhawan brings nearly three decades of cross-sector experience in the aerospace, engineering, chemicals and manufacturing industries.

Prior to joining DATL, he was CFO of Aeromet International Ltd, a maker of cast aluminium and magnesium parts to the global aerospace and defence industries.