AN ULVERSTON business has ambitions to double its size in the next five years after securing a place on a prestigious government backed programme.

Oxley, specialists in LED lighting, night vision products and electronic components for the aerospace and defence sector, will be taking part in the Sharing in Growth (SiG) aerospace productivity and competitiveness programme.

SiG, which this year won the national Semta Skills Innovation Award, individually tailors and delivers an intense and integrated programme of training, coaching and mentoring for ambitious companies in the aerospace supply chain.

The programme focuses on leadership, culture and operational capability, delivered by SiG’s own 120 strong team of business coaches as well as a bank of world-leading experts including The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing, Deloitte, Industry Forum and the National Physical Laboratory.

Oxley CEO, Martin Blakstad said that he anticipated the business would double in size in five years and treble in 10 years.

He anticipated this growth could lead to around 20 additional positions in the medium term with more required in the longer term.

"Oxley has a long history in Ulverston and a loyal local workforce and we want to develop this to become the number one employer of choice in the area," he said. "We have launched an employee engagement programme to help us to understand how we can take Oxley from being a good place to work to being a great place to work.

"We have already increased training opportunities for our team and we will be offering career progression routes so people can gain qualifications and develop their career with Oxley."

Oxley was founded in 1942 and has a 160 strong team, offering a full design and manufacturing service.

It works with aerospace companies across the globe including Boeing and Saab.

The business recently enjoyed a visit from Prime Minister Theresa May, who has said it was 'clear' the staff and leadership team at Oxley have what it takes to make a success of the scheme.