Meet the Team
Selected Leaders In Our Meritocracy
Dr Maximilian Apel
Founder and CEO
Maximilian founded BUOYANCY AEROSPACE in the summer of 2022, anticipating a broader geopolitical reset. He serves as CEO. He operates at the intersection of history and technology, building an independent European defence-capability enabler. Previously, he was at BCG. He graduated from Bucerius Law School, holds both German state examinations in law, and earned a doctorate with a thesis on the nexus of national-security oversight and corporate autonomy in critical-infrastructure companies. Maximilian invests selectively in deep-tech ventures.
Maximilian founded BUOYANCY AEROSPACE in the summer of 2022, anticipating a broader geopolitical reset. He serves as CEO. He operates at the intersection of history and technology, building an independent European defence-capability enabler. Previously, he was at BCG. He graduated from Bucerius Law School, holds both German state examinations in law, and earned a doctorate with a thesis on the nexus of national-security oversight and corporate autonomy in critical-infrastructure companies. Maximilian invests selectively in deep-tech ventures.
Dr Deepak Asokan
Head of Operations UK
Deepak leads operations at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, building the backbone of Europe’s sovereign aerospace and defence capability. He operates at the intersection of manufacturing and technology, driving digital transformation through AI, integrated work systems, and ERP. Previously, he held leadership positions at BAT, Fonterra and The Modern Milkman. He earned a PhD in Business and Management at Alliance Manchester Business School with high-impact research on digitalisation and socially responsible supply chains.
Deepak leads operations at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, building the backbone of Europe’s sovereign aerospace and defence capability. He operates at the intersection of manufacturing and technology, driving digital transformation through AI, integrated work systems, and ERP. Previously, he held leadership positions at BAT, Fonterra and The Modern Milkman. He earned a PhD in Business and Management at Alliance Manchester Business School with high-impact research on digitalisation and socially responsible supply chains.
Mr Christopher Werner
Head of Engineering Germany
Christopher leads engineering and operations at the German production site. He plays a key role in fostering the creation of a shared standard and innovation across the group. Christopher has held leadership positions in technical excellence and business growth. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. specialised in Aeronautical Engineering and brings over 15 years of professional experience to his role.
Christopher leads engineering and operations at the German production site. He plays a key role in fostering the creation of a shared standard and innovation across the group. Christopher has held leadership positions in technical excellence and business growth. He holds a Dipl.-Ing. specialised in Aeronautical Engineering and brings over 15 years of professional experience to his role.
Mr Simon Heap
Senior Engineer UK
Simon is a Senior Engineer and Programmer with over 20 years of experience delivering complex solutions across the aerospace and defence sector. He has led programmes from concept design through to production, combining technical leadership with hands-on expertise in software and engineering integration. His career reflects a commitment to advancing sovereign defence capability through innovation, and execution excellence.
Simon is a Senior Engineer and Programmer with over 20 years of experience delivering complex solutions across the aerospace and defence sector. He has led programmes from concept design through to production, combining technical leadership with hands-on expertise in software and engineering integration. His career reflects a commitment to advancing sovereign defence capability through innovation, and execution excellence.
Mr Daniel Hutta
Head of Quality & Compliance UK
Daniel heads the Quality, HSE, Compliance and Environmental function at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE. With over two decades of international leadership, he has built and led quality and engineering systems across aerospace, defence, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. At Apple, Flex and Music Tribe, Daniel worked at the intersection of R&D and advanced manufacturing, guiding products from concept to scale. At BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, his mission is to align rigorous standards with innovation and enabling teams to deliver systems that are safe, scalable, and future ready.
Daniel heads the Quality, HSE, Compliance and Environmental function at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE. With over two decades of international leadership, he has built and led quality and engineering systems across aerospace, defence, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing. At Apple, Flex and Music Tribe, Daniel worked at the intersection of R&D and advanced manufacturing, guiding products from concept to scale. At BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, his mission is to align rigorous standards with innovation and enabling teams to deliver systems that are safe, scalable, and future ready.
Mr Alexej Schilref
Head of IT Germany
Alexej heads the IT function at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, overseeing infrastructure, compliance, and cyber security. With over two decades of professional experience, he has developed and managed resilient, secure, and efficient IT systems that support the company’s operational excellence and long-term growth. Alexej also drives the Group’s global IT strategy across all sites. His leadership combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision, ensuring that BUOYANCY AEROSPACE operates on robust, scalable, and future-ready IT platforms.
Alexej heads the IT function at BUOYANCY AEROSPACE, overseeing infrastructure, compliance, and cyber security. With over two decades of professional experience, he has developed and managed resilient, secure, and efficient IT systems that support the company’s operational excellence and long-term growth. Alexej also drives the Group’s global IT strategy across all sites. His leadership combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision, ensuring that BUOYANCY AEROSPACE operates on robust, scalable, and future-ready IT platforms.
