We are delighted to announce that James Kempston, CEO of NP Aerospace has been voted this year’s BATTLESPACE Businessman of the Year. The other candidate was Richard Lee CEO of AMD Inc.
James Kempston said, “I’m truly honoured — thank you so much. Congratulations as well to Richard and the AMD team — a well-fought and well-deserved recognition.”
The award will be made at our Gala Dinner on November 4th at the Celtic Manor Hotel by David Beckett who represents Erik Kaled President of SPX of Fremont, CA., USA, last year’s winner.
James Kempston is CEO and owner of NP Aerospace, the global armour manufacturer and vehicle integrator. He was a former director of NP Aerospace before acquiring the company from Morgan Advanced Materials PLC in 2018 in collaboration with Pasqua First Nation (PFN Group of Companies). He is from Ontario, Canada, and is a Western University Physics and Engineering graduate. He took on full ownership of the business after acquiring PFN’s shares in in 2022. In 2024, via NP Aerospace, he acquired certain assets and customers of Jankel Armouring Limited, effectively joining the two companies together. In the last five years, under the strategic direction and leadership of James and his executive team, NP Aerospace has achieved four fold growth in revenues – increasing turnover to over £60m at the end of 2024, exports to 60% of sales, and headcount to over 375 people. The company is a significant mid tier defence contractor, generating substantial supply chain growth and saving countless lives with its high performance armour and engineering solutions.
James is an accomplished Corporate Business Leader and entrepreneur, with extensive global experience as a Director and R&D Engineer specializing in Government Aerospace and Defence contracts. He previously worked for a technology business leading R&D armour and survivability programs before joining NP Aerospace in 2012 to manage the North American operation and global business development. As CEO for NP Aerospace, James is responsible for driving business growth both organically and through acquisition, along with defining strategic direction in existing and emerging markets, engaging with world leading ministries of defence. He brings a unique combination of technical and commercial leadership to the business and is committed to developing next generation products that improve and protect lives by combining advanced technologies and high-level threat protection.