Case StudyScaling aerospace & defence capability across Europe & the US

TTM Technologies is expanding its aerospace and defence business across Europe while moving into higher-value subsystem solutions.

Wenham Carter is helping build the commercial and operational leadership needed to support that next phase of growth across Europe and the US.

Business ContextExpanding internationally while moving up the value chain

TTM Technologies plans to double the size of its aerospace and defence business over the next three years.

Alongside that growth, the business is evolving its position in the supply chain, moving from component manufacturing towards higher-value subsystem solutions. Europe is a key strategic market, making a stronger commercial presence across both Europe and the US central to its long-term ambitions.

The Growth ChallengeBuilding commercial capability across two strategic markets

To deliver its growth strategy, TTM needed to establish a new business development team across Europe and the US, while strengthening the operational capability needed to support continued expansion.

Success depended on more than technical expertise. As Julio Martinez de Andino, Head of Business Development, explains, the business needed “the calibre of talent needed to drive real growth” and provide the BD function with “genuine competetive edge”.

Our ApproachCreating momentum through proactive introductions

The partnership began with a series of proactive introductions to commercial leaders whose experience closely matched TTM’s ambitions.

That quickly developed into a retained programme to build a new business development team across Europe and the US, alongside the appointment of a Financial Controller in Europe to support the company’s continued growth.

Rather than presenting large volumes of candidates, the focus was on a carefully curated shortlist aligned to both the technical requirements and TTM’s culture. As Christina Boschi, HR Manager, put it, “Instead of flooding us with resumes, he presented a curated shortlist of high-caliber candidates who truly aligned with our company values.”

Within the first month of the programme, two senior appointments had already been completed, creating early momentum for the wider team build.

Business OutcomeLaying the foundations for long-term international growth

The first appointments have established the leadership needed to support TTM’s expansion across Europe and the US.

As the programme continues, the business is building the commercial organisation that will strengthen customer relationships, support expansion into new markets, and help accelerate its move towards higher-value subsystem solutions.

The partnership has also helped position TTM strongly in the market for specialist commercial talent. Judy Nguyen, who joined as Business Development Leader for North America, described the hiring process as “seamless and intentional”, highlighting the way expectations were aligned from the very first conversation.

Building out a business development team from the ground up demands more than a recruiter who can fill roles. It requires a true partner who understands where your organization wants to be rather than what it has been, how its DNA is changing, and the caliber of talent needed to drive real growth. James Long has been exactly that. From the outset, James invested meaningful time in understanding where we were headed, the type of people who would thrive in our culture, and the skill sets that would give our BD function genuine competitive edge. Every profile presented was purposeful, well-qualified, and genuinely aligned with our vision. What has stood out is James's consistency, focus and responsiveness. He has remained laser-sharp on our brief, never diluting the search with volume at the expense of quality, and has always been available when it mattered most. Equally impressive has been his collaborative spirit. He listened as much as he advised, adapted as our thinking evolved, and kept candidates engaged throughout, reflecting well on us even before a single hire was made. Having James and Wenham Carter alongside us has given us real confidence that we'll build this with the right people. I would recommend him without hesitation.

Julio Martinez de Andino, Head of Business Development | TTM Technologies

When our internal efforts to fill several highly specialized roles stalled, we turned to James Long at Wenham Carter - and the difference was immediate. Within days, we were reviewing strong, well-matched candidates for positions we found very challenging to fill. What sets James apart is his dedication to quality over quantity. Instead of flooding us with resumes, he presented a curated shortlist of high-caliber candidates who not only met the technical requirements but truly aligned with our company values. I highly recommend James to any company looking for a dedicated talent partner.

Christina Boschi, Human Resources Manager | TTM Technologies

I want to highlight how exceptional the hiring process was from start to finish. It began with James Long, the headhunter who initially reached out, and I can confidently say he did an extraordinary job representing TTM. He took the time to deeply understand both what the organization was looking for and what I was seeking in my next role, and he aligned those two in a way that felt seamless and intentional.

Having worked with a number of recruiters over the years, I can say without hesitation that James stands out. His ability to clearly communicate expectations, advocate for both sides, and ultimately create the right match is a true asset to any organization looking to attract top talent.

Judy Nguyen, Business Development Leader - North America | TTM Technologies

I want to highlight how exceptional the hiring process was from start to finish...Having worked with a number of recruiters over the years, I can say without hesitation that James stands out. His ability to clearly communicate expectations, advocate for both sides, and ultimately create the right match is a true asset to any organization looking to attract top talent.

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