Professor Serhiy Bozhko - UNIT Managing Director (Serhiy.bozhko@unott.it)

Professor Bozhko received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electromechanical systems from the National Technical University of Ukraine, Kyiv City, Ukraine, in 1987 and 1994, respectively. Since 2000, he has been with the Power Electronics, Machines and Controls Research Group of the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, where currently he is Professor of Aircraft Electric Power Systems and Director of the Institute for Aerospace Technology. His research interests are within the aircraft electric power systems area including power generation, distribution and conversion, power quality, control and stability issues, power management and optimisation, as well as advanced modelling and simulations methods. He currently leads several EU and industry funded projects in these areas.

Dr Hitendra Hirani - UNIT Chief Strategy Officer (hitendra.hirani@unott.it)

Dr Hirani has worked closely with industry on topics such as automated assembly systems and aerospace technology developments since the turn of the Century. Through his activities focussed on large multinational and multidisciplinary programmes, he has served on key regional, national, and international boards including the Steering Committees for Airframe, Systems and Engines ITD and the Governing Board of the €4bn Clean Sky 2 programme, Midlands Aerospace Alliance Technology Development Group and on the Auto/Aero Regional Growth Forum. Hitendra now works closely with the Driving the Electric Revolution Industrialisation Centre national initiative with key leaders from Universities, Catapult Centres and industry and is Sales Director and General Manager for Nottingham Drives Specialist Services. 

Dr. Beniamino Guida - UNIT Chief Technical Officer (beniamino.guida@unott.it)

Dr Guida received his PhD in Electronic Engineering from the Second University of Naples in 2012, discussing the thesis “Modelling, control and supervision strategies for aeronautical electrical networks”. He received the “Best Clean Sky PhD Thesis” award in June 2016. Since 2011, he has served as CEO for Aeromechs srl. He is author of 30+ papers discussing “aircraft electric energy management” in international journals and conference proceedings. 

Avv. Pierfrancesco Valentini - UNIT Chief Operating Officer (pierfrancesco.valentini@unott.it)

Mr Valentini obtained his master’s degree in law and passed the bar exam as a Lawyer. As Chief Operating Officer he has the responsibility for coordination within Italy and local political connections, leading preparation of financial cases with respect to projects, liaising with local authorities with regards to company operations and administration, promoting national and international agreements with stakeholders, supporting strategic business development activities, participating in decision-making and problem-solving.