Army duo launch UAV business at Conwy Golf Club
by Martin Williams, DPW West
A NEW venture founded by ex-Army officers has taken-off.
Founded in 2011 by Chris Blackford and James Harrison, two former British military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Sky-Futures has gone from strength to strength.
The duo, based in London, have opened a new base in Colwyn Bay and visited Conwy Gold Club last week to discuss potential business with prospective clients.
The company uses remote-controlled Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (or UAVs) that carry specialist cameras and computer-guided systems and fly over any terrain to capture accurate and detailed data and imagery of the ground below.
They hope to capitalise on the region’s growing windpower industry, as well as working with local authorities, conservation groups, architects and housing developers.
Operations director Chris told Business Post: “In terms of the North Wales market we will be looking at environmental work, surveys, inspections of wind turbines and planning and topographical studies of the area.
“Local authorities are a potential market but at the moment we do a lot with oil and gas, the Forestry Commission and in health and safety, quarries, mining, construction and disaster relief…. anywhere we can add value.”
