SOUTH Somerset MP Marcus Fysh has visited Rome to meet the senior management of Leonardo, including the company’s CEO.

Alessandro Profumo, chief executive of Leonardo, met with MP Fysh last week as part of the minister’s visit to Rome.

The aerospace and defence company, which has its headquarters in the Italian capital, has 180 sites across the globe, including in Yeovil.

Marcus said: “It’s a new management team in Rome so I was keen to form a relationship with them to support the Yeovil operation, as I have done with the team here and also the Ministry of Defence.

“Senor Profumo and colleagues were genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunities to work together with the UK in the future.

“One current example of industrial collaboration in action is that Leonardo has been asked to lead a project to work on unmanned systems integration in a multi-nation combat environment with some EU defence funding, and the UK unit's unmanned expertise is expected to be utilised.”

Leonardo’s Yeovil site employs nearly 2,800 people, producing several helicopters on site including the Super Lynx 300, AW159 and AW101.

The visit was also an opportunity to build the Anglo-Italian relationship, said Mr Fysh.

He added: “The relationship with the MoD remains of core importance to the company and I have already had meetings with new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Procurement Minister Guto Bebb.

“They remain supportive towards the export market which is very important this year, and there is the opportunity to build up the strategic partnership with the MoD in new product development such as in unmanned rotary wing technology.

“I have also been working with Ministers to make sure we get efficient future aerospace standards regimes, customs co-operation and work visa arrangements agreed with the EU as early as possible.

“I would say things are encouraging for the company as a whole and our Yeovil site. There seems to be a renewed focus on product development and innovation locally to build on the skills built up here over generations and increase local productivity.”