Norante Takes Flight With Leonardo Canada
By Vincent J. Curtis
Leonardo is a world renowned, global aerospace, defence, and security company with head offices in Rome, Italy. It has annual revenues of $19.6 billion (Cdn) and a $1.6 billion (Euro) annual investment in R&D. World-wide Leonardo employs roughly 50,000 people.
Francesco Norante is the head of Leonardo Canada. “We are a world leading provider of civil and military professional training services, for pilots, operators and maintainers. We enhance the customers experience ensuring the most effective use of the platforms and systems, exploiting LVC and distributed simulation,” he told Esprit de Corps.
What is particularly interesting to note is that Norante doesn’t come from an engineering background. Originally he was into extreme athletics, specifically ironman competitions. This naturally begs the question as to what got him interested in becoming a senior executive with a defence and aerospace company? “I joined Leonardo UK in 2010. I had the vision to transfer my expertise in Major Sport Events into a technology company to open up new business opportunities. Leonardo’s top management was visionary enough to believe in my strategy and after less than two years we had a solid business in a sector where the company was not present.” said Norante. “We were able to reconvert Leonardo’s technology to the civil sector, be more competitive of established and recognized leaders in that sector. This for me was a confirmation that if you are brave enough and able to take calculated risks you can achieve incredible goals. Leonardo believed in me and I still thank my top management for the trust.”
Explaining the scope of his firm’s operations in Canada, Norante stated “Leonardo has been a trusted Canadian partner for more than 50 years. We are a leading provider of capabilities through innovative technologies and integrated services. Leonardo’s Canadian subsidiary is based in Ottawa. Purpose built to serve the Canadian market, Leonardo’s Canadian team leverages and draws upon the full strength and depth of the global company.”
Norante further explained “Within Canada, there are 50 civil, military and parapublic helicopters flying alongside 40 ATR aircraft. The Company has five authorized helicopter service centres. Furthermore, there are more than 400 people working across five sites in Canada. Canada is a key market for Leonardo, with interests and opportunities spanning from helicopters to airport technologies, such as baggage handling systems and air traffic control systems. Leonardo’s training capability is “underpinned by International Flight Training Schools and a network of regional training centers and academies. The air forces of many countries around the world have chosen our Integrated Training Systems to train their pilots and the new International Flight training school launched by Leonardo and the Italian Air Force in a short timeframe has already become a point of reference worldwide.”
All of Leonardo’s commercial activities in Canada are coordinated through its Ottawa-based team, including those activities related to the following; Defence and Defence Systems, Aeronautics programmes for Air Traffic Control, Cyber Security and Automation with a focus on capabilities for airports, postal operators and couriers.
“In building partnerships in Canada, we have had many positive experiences and we are in discussion with several industrial and business entities prospecting long-term opportunities in relation to Canadian companies.” stated Norante. We are a global player and are strongly committed to the long-term success the industry of the Country where we are based and it is part of our DNA.” says Norante.
Commenting on the challenges of pursuing future business in Canada couple with coping with the ongoing pandemic, Norante explained “During the spread of COVID-19, Leonardo has seen operators of its aircraft adapt, react and overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic across geographies. Canada has been no different. Our resilient military and governmental business is in good shape enabling us to deliver results despite COVID impact on civil business. Our strong foundations and core fundamentals give us firm confidence in both the short-term and medium-long term.”
Under Norante’s stewardship a major partnership was formed with a fellow defence industry giant. “Back in May 2021, Babcock and Leonardo announced their intent to jointly pursue Canada’s FAcT program. In August, a teaming agreement was executed between Babcock Canada and Leonardo Canada, highlighting the two companies’ dedication to Canada, their global expertise and their commitment to being Canada’s ensuring partner for future aircrew training.” said Norante. “The team is now known as Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training. Both companies are leading international aerospace, defence and security organizations and military training providers, which only adds further weight behind our solution for Canada’s FAcT program. Babcock Leonardo Canadian Aircrew Training is committed to the delivery of an innovative aircrew training solution that will leverage the companies’ extensive fixed-wing and rotary-wing training experience, and civil and military mission support services.”
According to Norante with the significant experience of both these companies in building and managing comprehensive training systems for customers worldwide, the new Canadian team will facilitate the development of a modern and scalable military training infrastructure that will leverage a solid supply chain founded and based in Canada.
Recounting his firm’s direct response in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic Norante said “Leonardo’s commitment to helping tackle the global health emergency, continues unabated. Through its manufacturing facilities in Italy and around the world, the Company has been quick to support national institutions with a series of joint initiatives in order to help manage and contain the spread of COVID-19. Leonardo will continue providing essential people and resources to support the extraordinary effort of all those who are at the forefront of combating this pandemic.”
Francesco Norante arrived in Ottawa to take charge of Leonardo Canada in 2018, and was immediately impressed by his new surroundings. “I really enjoyed the beauty of riding in Gatineau Park, swimming in Meech Lake and walking along the Ottawa River. The Rideau Canal both in summer and winter is gorgeous. Ottawa was very welcoming to me and a surprise gem in Canada.” said Norante. I spent five years in Vancouver but I knew very little about Ottawa and its surroundings. I would say that the city is one of the best kept secrets in Canada. “
In his off hours, Francesco Norante pursues a whole body-and-mind fitness regimen. “I am an avid reader and very curious person. I just started reading Bernard Russell: A History of Western Philosophy. I am always intrigued by new challenges in my personal life and I have the same approach in my work activities.”
“I have a passion for endurance sport and triathlons in particular. I have competed in two Ironman distances and successfully finished several ultra-marathons. My goal is to transmit this approach to my little girl so one day we can do a race together. It would represent a highpoint for me!”
