Donough Tierney

Founder || Consultancy supporting growth companies in the aerospace,electronics & defence

About

Board Director and senior strategic advisor specializing in aerospace, defense, and dual-use technology markets across EMEA and North America. Over two decades, I've guided companies from growth-stage through to market leaders in navigating complex international expansion, government partnerships, and institutional market entry. My career spans €1-5 billion in facilitated revenue across cross-border business development, strategic partnerships, and corporate governance. I've led major initiatives and secured landmark contracts spanning Eu & North American defense programs, EU institutional partnerships, and pan-European government initiatives—bridging commercial strategy with the regulatory and political complexities of transatlantic defense, space, and dual-use sectors from Brussels and Washington policy frameworks to national procurement systems Including EDA, NATO and UN. As Managing Partner of Adfulcrum, I advise fast growing organisations through corporate-stage companies on: • International market entry and expansion strategies (EMEA/North America) • Government and institutional stakeholder engagement across multiple jurisdictions • Strategic partnerships with primes, agencies, defense ministries, and institutions • Corporate governance and board-level strategic advisory • Complex procurement navigation and regulatory compliance across NATO and EU frameworks My board director and advisory experience spans aerospace technology companies, defense contractors, insurtech innovators, simulation technology providers, and AI-enabled dual-use platforms. I provide business development support and governance oversight on international growth strategy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement across multiple jurisdictions. Current focus: Non-executive director and C-suite positions with ambitious companies requiring international commercial leadership and strategic governance expertise. I bring proven operational track record at €1-5bn scale and governance maturity to organizations scaling across European, North American, and allied defense and aerospace markets. Based in Berlin | Operating Internationally | Open to relocation Let’s connect if you’re looking to scale strategically, expand internationally, or strengthen your board-level leadership for growth. 📍 Based in EU | 🌍 Working globally | 💼 Founder @ Adfulcrum 📧 donough.tierney@adfulcrum.com | 🔗 www.adfulcrum.com

Country

Germany

City

Berlin

Industry

Management Consulting

Skill

Dual Use & Defense Tech, NATO , Investor Relations, Business Model Innovation, Corporate Strategy, Global Market Expansion, Defense Procurement, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Go-to-Market Strategy, B2B Marketing in Regulated Markets, Demand Generation, Strategic Marketing, Budgeting, Proposal Writing, Marketing Management, Marketing Campaigns, Senior Stakeholder Management, Fractional Management, Diplomacy, Business Relationship Management

Experience

Founder || Consultancy supporting growth companies in the aerospace,electronics & defence

Adfulcrum

2021-7 - Present · 5 yrs 3 mos

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Adfulcrum is a consultancy supporting companies looking for fast growth in the Aerospace and Defence sectors and beyond. These trends are forcing OEMs and key technology suppliers to rethink their business and operating models to adapt to the "new normal" , revisit their talent and competence management strategies, review their product portfolio, adjust their global footprint, streamline operations, and make their cost structures more flexible to rapid change. We help our clients to not only organise themselves to succeed through crises, but also identify and exploit new sources of growth and efficiency, delivering deep industry expertise and cutting-edge strategic advice as well as sustainable improvements. We also support them in structuring and managing major transformation initiatives, taking full advantage of digital technologies and mindsets.

Non Executive Director

We2Sure | Building Better Together

2023-5 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

We2sure are disrupting the approach to carbon markets through technology and knowhow.

Advisor To The Board

Skyfly Technologies Ltd

2022-1 - Present · 4 yrs 9 mos

United Kingdom

“Axe by Skyfly”, is an innovative British-designed electric VTOL aircraft, was officially launched on 24 June 2022, ahead of production starting in 2024.

Board Advisor

MPS

2021-7 - Present · 5 yrs 3 mos

Netherlands

Advisor to the board of MPS. https://www.linkedin.com/company/mps-flight-sims/ . MPS designes and manufactures flight simulation training devices and ancillary training tools for the commercial pilot training industry. The company is focused on improving aviation safety through better training solutions. The company was founded in 2007 and has installed over 50 Airbus A-320 (ceo/neo) and Boeing B-737 (NG/MAX) simulators throughout the world. www. https://www.mps.aero/

Business Mentor

Scaler8

2021-7 - Present · 5 yrs 3 mos

Berlin, Germany

Advising founders on International business development with a focus on market entry and industrial development

Start-up Mentor

Starburst

2019-6 - Present · 7 yrs 4 mos

Berlin, Germany

Coaching startup founders on scaling international development, go-to-market strategy.

Vice President

Airbus

2004-6 - 2021-7 · 17 yrs 2 mos

France

Airbus Strategy & International || Disruptive Innovation || Making it Fly ✈

Airbus

2018-1 - 2021-6 · 3 yrs 6 mos

Berlin Area, Germany

Served as part of the Airbus management team that contributed to the group becoming the world’s leading Aerospace group. Director of Business Development and was part of the corporate development team comprising Strategy, M&A, marketing and key customer/account business development.

VP Canada, Europe , UN & Multinational Organisations || Corporate Growth || Innovation

Airbus

2015-5 - 2018-1 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Berlin Area, Germany

Managed international , strategy and public affairs across countries and organisations. Contributed to Corporate development and growth. Supported strategic Sales campaigns. Responsible for industrial development, offset and agreements.

VP Airbus Group International || European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS)

Airbus

2006-7 - 2015-4 · 8 yrs 10 mos

Paris Area, France

Sales & Marketing for large Airbus International campaigns (Airbus, Defence Electronics, Secure Networks, Global Security, ATR…). Multinational relationships

Senior Manager Marketing Strategy || Customer focus || Team Work || Continuous Innovation

Airbus

2004-7 - 2006-6 · 2 yrs

Munich Area, Germany

Marketing and Business development on specialist and generic topics that contribute to platform and systems sales. Managing marketing activities on specific accounts and campaigns to cover all aspects of airline requirements, global and regional aviation market trends, airline business drivers, evolving fleet and network requirements, leasing revenue and profit generation models, and competitive environment.

Co CEO/CCO/VP Sales & Marketing || Chief Revenue Officer || Corporate Dev || Strategy

Hush Communications

2000-10 - 2003-5 · 2 yrs 8 mos

USA and Europe

Hush Communications Ltd (American E-Security Company dealing with digital security, PKI and forerunner of blockchain/bitcoin) Reporting to CEO, member of executive team and managing all commercial ramp up activities and Corporate development. Following are my key contributions: • Increased Sales from start-up to 2 million Dollars in revenue in under 18 months • Grew major accounts from 1 to over 30 generating over $1.5 million in revenue within the first year • Led worldwide for business development, strategic marketing and planning, product planning and pricing strategy • Developed the Enterprise sales and marketing plans for 4 new products and overall company marketing along with marketing the Hush partner/distribution programme internationally • Worked as a key Member of funding raising team and dealth with VCs and investor community

Marketing & Sales Senior Manager || PR || Account Management || Project Management 🏆PHILIPS Award

Philips

1996-10 - 2000-6 · 3 yrs 9 mos

At Philips, our purpose was to improve people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Following are my key contributions: • Generated 1.5 to 2 Million annual revenue increasing by 20% year by applying sales & marketing strategy to new and existing partners (UK & Ireland) • Maintained 30 million dollar turnover by fostering and maintaining relationships with over 90 vendors, as well as with direct clients • Delivered award-winning Interactive solutions by consulting and negotiating with major corporate clients (Ford, Bristol Myers Squibb, 3M, BSM, Volvo, Burger King, Procter & Gamble, Nat West, Carphone Warehouse)

Trader || Import and Export || Startups || Sales Strategy || Partnerships

Mitsubishi Corporation

1995-1 - 1996-9 · 1 yr 9 mos

London, United Kingdom

Performed trading and built distribution channels in Europe for USA & Japanese customers. Following are my key contributions: • Set up and launched international trading channels for manufacturer estimated turnover year 1 $1mn plus • Led the overall analysis on new media, technologies & telecoms • Developed successful strategies and partnerships to enter Telecoms market through M&A