Team
The Counterpoint Team
Collin Heller
Vice PresidentCollin joined Counterpoint in 2023. Prior to joining Counterpoint, he worked as a management and strategy consultant in the aviation, aerospace and industrial sectors. Throughout his consulting career, Collin has advised aircraft/engine manufacturers, airlines, governments, lessors and other industry suppliers. He hold a B.S. and M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering and an MBA from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Richard Apps
Director and Co-FounderAt GKN Aerospace, Richard Apps worked on strategic planning, business development and the evaluation of acquisitions. He also managed GKN’s industrial offset commitments in Kuwait and prior to that he was the Group Strategic Planning Manager for Westland Group. He managed R&D projects at BICC (now Balfour Beatty) and was a Production Controller at Marconi Avionics (now part of BAE Systems). He has a degree from Cambridge University in Engineering and an MBA from Manchester Business School.
Joanne Zhang
ConsultantJoanne joined Counterpoint after completing her PhD degree in Aerospace Composites at the University of Bristol in 2017. Before coming to Counterpoint, Joanne had experience leading a project for a Tier-1 supplier focused on researching next-generation composite technology. Since joining Counterpoint, she has worked as a consultant, assisting clients with market research on composites and topics related to the China market. Joanne also holds an MEng degree in Aerospace Engineering.
Our Subject Matter Experts
Rob Semple
Project Director, Aircraft InteriorsRob Semple has worked in the aerospace industry for 39 years, split between a career in Rolls-Royce and then aircraft interiors. This included working as Engineering and Programmes Director at Contour (now part of Safran), responsible for seating development projects.
For the last 11 years he has worked directly for airlines such as Finnair, United Airlines, AirTanker and Jet Airways as well as for suppliers on both retrofit and new aircraft projects which covered seating, in-flight entertainment, VVIP fit, monuments, crew rests, galleys, lavatories, and associated interior changes (bins, partitions, floor coverings etc).
Rob has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bath and a MSc in Manufacturing Systems from the University of Warwick.
Peter Woolfrey
Systems and EquipmentPeter has spent his entire career working within Aerospace and Defense having originally graduated in Mechanical Engineering. He has worked for a range of blue chip aerospace companies gaining experience within systems and equipment, avionics, engines and airframes.
Following successful completion of an MBA Peter moved into business development and gained experience in m&a, strategy deployment and major account management. His last role before retiring from full-time employment was as Group Head of Business Development with Senior plc. Since retiring from full-time employment Peter has worked part-time as an independent advisor/consultant.
Colin Sirett
Landing GearColin was Chief Executive Officer of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield, UK, and a Director of Casting Technology International. He joined the AMRC from Airbus in 2016 where he was the Research & Technology National Representative for Airbus in the UK. Prior to this, he was Head of the Landing Gear PDT (Product Delivery Team) on the A350XWB.
He joined Messier-Dowty Landing Gear in 1997, working on programmes including Boeing X32 JSF, A3XX and 787, latterly leading the development of enabling technologies and manufacturing systems for landing gear systems.
Colin has a Degree in Production Technology and Management from the University of Aston, and a MBA from the University of Bath. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is Chair of the Learned Society Board.
Pablo Enrique
Additive ManufacturingPablo has a doctorate in physical and mechanical metallurgy from the University of Waterloo. He has worked as a technical lead on advanced manufacturing research and development programs for aerospace, power generation, and industrial robotics components and sensors.
Through industry and academic experience, Pablo has become highly versed in metal additive manufacturing process optimization, material selection, and design for additive manufacturing principles.
David Goldney
ActuationDavid has spent over 35 years in the Aerospace Industry. Starting as a sponsored student with Lucas Aerospace Power Systems, he then spent 7 years in Business Development for electronic engine controls with Lucas and then Smiths Aerospace. In 1997 he moved to Goodrich (now Collins) Actuation Systems, spending 19 years in various business development and program management roles, where he gained a broad commercial and technical knowledge of fixed and rotary wing flight control systems, managing sales teams in UK, France, Italy, Canada and the USA. He has worked on most modern aircraft platforms since the A320, most notably on F-35 utilities and weapons bay door drive systems, B787, A350 and P&W GTF thrust reverser actuation systems, A220 flap & slat actuation systems and the KC390 primary flight control system. His last move before retiring from full-time employment was to Doncasters, firstly as Account Director to RR and latterly program managing a factory build & move for a business unit investment casting industrial gas turbine blades. David has a degree in Astronautical & Aeronautical Engineering from Southampton University and a Diploma in Marketing from the University of Aston.
