Brian Sartain has been appointed as chief operating officer of Ontic, a licensor and manufacturer of complex engineered parts for the global aerospace and defence industries.

Sartain will start in the new role on June 5 responsible for Ontic’s global manufacturing footprint and driving operational excellence.

An aerospace industry leader for more than 35 years, he has held a variety of executive posts in all aspects of global business including P&L management, operational excellence, strategy, product development, and management of joint ventures.

He joins Ontic from AAR Corp where he was the senior vice president of repair and engineering services with responsibility for all businesses associated with MRO, engineering development and manufacturing.

Sartain said: “The sustained growth and potential of Ontic was a major driver in my decision to join the company. Supporting that growth and driving the performance needed by our customers was too good a proposition to resist.”

Gareth Hall, chief executive of Ontic, added: “Brian shares our growth ambitions and has a proven track record of delivering the sustained operational excellence that will allow Ontic to continue on our mission to deliver a world class service to both to our licensors and to our aviation customers.”