Alliott Verdon Roe was one of the earliest pioneers of British aviation making his first powered flight ar Brooklands in 1908. In 1910 he formed the company which bore his name and Avro continued to remain at the forefront of aeronautical progress until it disappeared when it was absorbed into Hawker Siddely Aviation 1963. Hawker Siddeley Aviation was itself absorbed by British Aerospace in 1977