Xacom Project Controls Hosts Watchtower Delivery with NWAA

The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) team, Programme Manager Paul Bell and Dr Roger Singleton CEng, delivered the first of two Watchtower 2 sessions this week at Xacom Project Controls

The morning began with a key discussion around the fundamentals: what exactly is Project Controls? This exploration, highly relevant to Xacom’s consultancy, set the stage for a benchmarking session that was carefully tweaked to reflect the company’s project controls expertise and client-driven services. The tailored approach ensured that the Watchtower programme aligned directly with Xacom’s core mission of helping clients deliver projects on time, on budget, and with measurable value.

A well-deserved break provided one of the day’s lighter highlights: lunch from a local favourite, declared to be “probably the best spot of lunch delivered across the whole programme.”

In the afternoon, focus returned to Watchtower’s structured business growth framework. Together, the team explored “8 for 8” ideas, eight actionable steps for enhancing business impact, before applying tools such as the Ansoff matrix and business-benefit models. These exercises gave Xacom clear pathways to diversify, innovate, and maximise value in line with client priorities.

This delivery forms part of Watchtower 2, NWAA’s flagship 12-month programme designed to support Lancashire’s aerospace and advanced engineering SMEs. With pillars including Diversification & Innovation (“Innoversification”), Digital & Sustainability Pathfinder, and Growth Acceleration, Watchtower 2 helps companies like Xacom apply best practice frameworks to growth, digitalisation, and sustainability challenges.