Hybrid Air Vehicles Welcomed As Latest Patron of Doncaster Chamber

Following hot on the heels of Friday’s announcement — that South Yorkshire will be investing heavily in the business — Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is establishing itself further in our region, by joining as the newest patron of Doncaster Chamber.

Headquartered in Bedfordshire, the company is a pioneer in the field of green aviation technology and is currently making huge strides when it comes to sustainability. In particular, their trailblazing Airlander 10 vehicle — which is part plane and part airship — promises to revolutionise the aerospace industry by showing what can be done to reduce emissions.

Capable of boarding 100 people at a time (or ten tonnes of freight) the helium-filled craft is estimated to have a carbon footprint that is up to 90% less than that of a standard jet aircraft. It can also remain airborne for up to 5 days, offering high endurance.

It is therefore very exciting to know that these state-of-the-art vehicles will be built right here in Doncaster. Last week saw major progress on that front, as the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) approved £7m’s worth of funding that will ultimately pave the way for HAV’s plans. This loan will enable Hybrid Air Vehicles to begin investing in the region, paving the way for a £310m production programme which will lead to new facilities, job opportunities and supply chains for the manufacturing of Airlander 10.

The local Chamber of Commerce played an instrumental role in brokering this loan, using its platform to make the relevant introductions, to connect HAV with key partners, and to generally advocate for their expansion into South Yorkshire.

With that said, Doncaster Chamber is proud to announce that this fruitful relationship is now being strengthened further, with Hybrid Air Vehicles becoming our newest patron.

Welcoming them aboard, Dan Fell, Chief Exec of Doncaster Chamber, said: “It is a tremendous honour to have such an innovative and cutting-edge business in our network, one that is doing really important work for the planet. Hybrid Air Vehicles is making huge waves in the world of aviation right now and is set to change the industry for the better with their forward-thinking approach.

“Now that they have become patrons, I am pleased to say that we will be working together even more closely. Their imminent expansion into Doncaster will have major economic benefits for the region —  including the creation of more than a thousand highly skilled jobs —  and will put us at the heart of an ambitious vision for a greener future. Suffice it to say, we are very excited to see what that entails.”

For context, Chamber membership is tiered into bronze, silver and gold packages. Depending on which of these a business chooses, they will be entitled to various different benefits (like free event tickets, legal support & HR services, and access to networking opportunities).

Patronage is the most exclusive level of all, however, and is reserved for firms that have been identified as key employers within Doncaster. The current list includes some of the biggest and most reputable names in and around the borough, such as Carlton Forest Group, Equans, LNER, Eland Cables, Polypipe, St. Leger Homes and SYNETIQ.

Speaking about what it means to join this illustrious company, Tom Grundy, Chief Exec of HAV, said: “As we develop our plans to produce Airlander – the world’s most sustainable large aircraft – in Doncaster, I’m delighted that Hybrid Air Vehicles is becoming a patron of the Chamber.

“Dan Fell and the team have been instrumental in convening organisations across South Yorkshire to help prepare the way for our work and I’m excited about starting the delivery phase in Doncaster, activating new green aerospace manufacturing jobs, building a new supply chain and delivering a significant export programme for the United Kingdom. This builds on our longstanding membership of the Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce and our belief in the power of the British Chambers of Commerce in supporting the development and growth of UK businesses.”