Meet the speakers

With over 20 years’ wind energy sector experience, Duncan now drives offshore wind supply chain capability and growth at The Crown Estate. He interfaces the national and regional agendas to promote offshore wind’s positive impact in local communities.

The Crown Estate established a £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator fund with the explicit objective of helping catalyse the UK supply chain for offshore wind. Duncan is keen to engage with companies interested in development funding for manufacturing facilities, with potential for future CapEx investment.

Tony is an internationally experienced technology director, managing director and chief executive with expertise in precision engineering, process engineering and machine tools technologies. He co-founded the UK’s Advanced Machinery & Productivity Institute in 2018 and is a lifelong advocate for the promotion of skills development in manufacturing and advanced engineering.

Starting as an apprentice in the UK Ministry of Defence, Tony worked from shop floor through various technical and manufacturing roles in industry while studying part-time, and joined the Longworth team in 1990 to undertake research in sustainable polymer filtration and reclamation of advanced materials. 

Awarded an OBE for services to the UK economy in 2016, Tony studied at Lancaster and Manchester Universities, and lives in Lancashire.

As Executive Director for Net Zero, Mike is responsible for leading Innovate UK’s activities to ensure the UK prospers from being the fastest transitioning economy to Net Zero.

To prosper we need to create value for the UK from the products and services that are needed to get to net zero as quickly as possible. It means inspiring, involving and investing in UK innovation to create green jobs, sustainable growth and exports. It means laying foundations for a clean economy in which towns, cities and regions across the UK can thrive.

Net Zero is a race against time not against each other and more of the same won’t do.  That means we must change the way we do things and that means we must innovate with urgency, because the clock is ticking.

Prior to this, Mike was Programme Director for the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to deliver the research and science that businesses needs to transform existing industries, create new ones and deliver economic impact, jobs and growth.

Before joining Innovate UK, Mike worked in the photonics industry for 10 years after graduating with a masters in physics from Imperial College, London. He is a board member of the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Aerospace Technologies Institute and a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.

Jon is the Co Chair of the UK Steel council recently established to develop a Steel strategy for the UK Steel industry.

One of the most widely respected figures in the UK Steel industry Jon has over 40 years’ experience in steel on both sides of the Atlantic. Following various engineering and operational roles in the UK Jon was seconded to the USA for 5 years when he was part of the leadership team that constructed and ran a mini mill in Alabama. Between 2000 and 2019 Jon led primary and secondary steel businesses in the UK and Continental Europe.  He was also a Non Executive Director of Sheffield Forgemasters from 2016 to 2018.

Jon was the Chair of UK Steel from 2013 to 2015 and jointly chaired a previous incarnation of the UK Steel Council with the Secretary of State for Business and Industry for two years. During this time Jon also chaired a group that formed the UK Metals Council.

He is currently the Chair of the Materials Processing Institute based on Teesside and a Main Board advisor to Emirates Steel.

He has a passion for developing the skills of young people and is The Kings Ambassador for Industrial Cadets, a scheme gives young people direct experience of industry. He is a Trustee of the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) who manage the Industrial Cadets programme.

Jon also chaired the Stakeholder Steering Group for “Transfire”, part of the governments Transforming the Foundation Industries Challenge.

Jon is a  Fellow of the Institute for Materials. Minerals and Mining and was awarded the Bessamer Gold Medal for outstanding services to the steel industry in 2019.

Rich heads AND Digital's UK Data and AI practice delivering impactful transformation: guiding clients through the complexities of rapidly changing tech.

Rich has dedicated years of his career to the manufacturing sector, most notably building Jaguar Land Rover's digital capability with a brand of transformation laser focussed on value delivery. As Director of Data and Digital he modernised JLR's technology infrastructure, talent strategy and approach to technical delivery.

Rich has a passion for opportunity creation, growing and nurturing talent. Working with TechWM over the past 3 years Rich has led the way in connecting the supply and demand side of the Digital Skills Gap. This includes curating the innovative ‘AI for Manufacturing Accelerator’ which transformed a pilot cohorts practical approach to AI adoption in their organisations.

Jo’s HR career as a generalist has spanned over 25 years, with experience at all levels of organisations. Jo has more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing and STEM organisations most of this time spent at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, where she latterly was part of the senior leadership team for Marshall Academy, the training and apprenticeship arm of Marshall. At Marshall Academy Jo headed up award winning Health, Safety and Wellbeing programs and managed the Aerospace Engineering degree apprentices supporting their development through the program to deliver extraordinary results and secure ongoing positions as design engineers within the organisation.

James Brougham is a Senior Economist within Make UK’s advocacy division. In this role, James drives the creation of economic insight, analysis of government & corporate policy, and maintains an economic outlook for the UK’s manufacturing sector. With daily sector engagement, James has a close and current knowledge of the industry’s pressure points, using this to work in partnership with government and industry stakeholders to reach the best outcome for businesses and the wider UK economy alike.”

With over 20 years of experience in HR and Employment Law, Sharon is a strategic and visionary leader passionate about developing and retaining talent, fostering a positive and inclusive culture, and driving organisational performance. She leads a team of experts who provide bespoke commercial solutions to clients and members across the UK and globally. Sharon delivers high-quality, innovative HR and employment law services that address Make UK's clients' complex and evolving needs. Drawing on her personal experience, she leverages these skills to help clients navigate the challenges they face. She also spearheads the development and delivery of Make UK’s HR consultancy products and services, including its many webinars and publications showcasing its thought leadership and expertise.

Roz is research and policy director at Green Alliance, supporting and overseeing the development of policy recommendations on decarbonisation, greening the economy and resources. She joined Green Alliance as head of policy in 2019. Before joining Green Alliance, Roz worked for the manufacturers’ association Make UK and spent nearly a decade as an environmental journalist. 

Jamie Cater is Senior Policy Manager (Employment) at Make UK. Jamie leads Make UK’s policy work on education and training as well as wider employment issues, working with industry and government to create a policy environment that supports employer investment in training and a skills system that responds to labour market demand. Prior to joining Make UK, Jamie worked for a political consultancy advising clients on public policy and regulation, including independent providers of apprenticeship training and higher education.

John spent his childhood in Leeds before embarking on his Engineering apprenticeship with Allied, a global food manufacturing business. John progressed in the field of  Engineering up to Director level within SME’s and has worked with a number of large companies including the likes of Smith and Nephew.

It is at Smith and Nephew where John shifted focus towards leading Operations with a passion to drive focused performance improvements across broader business’, something he has continued to deliver today as a Director at Groupe Atlantics Ideal Heating Division here in the UK.

John continues to be an ambassador for the benefits of apprenticeships and education in any form. He has recently been invited to support both the Institute of Technology and the University of Hull’s Artificial Intelligence in Business program, a groundbreaking initiative in the UK today.

John is an active board member of MakeUK and sits on Hull and East Yorkshires Skills Improvement Planning Board, Hull Colleges Board of Governors and is looking forward to embarking on a global mobilisation role within Groupe Atlantic’s Business Improvement Faculty later this year.

Richard Cooke leads UK Business Development for Keepler Data Tech, a leading AI and Data consultancy that empowers clients to achieve rapid, scalable business value. He partners with a diverse range of organizations, guiding them in leveraging cutting-edge technology for enhanced agility, innovation, and efficiency. For the past three years, Richard has collaborated closely with numerous manufacturers navigating the complexities of rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and evolving regulatory landscapes. His work focuses on how AI and data solutions can directly support manufacturers in achieving their ESG objectives and driving sustainable growth.

Rowan Crozier is CEO of Birmingham-based Brandauer, a 162-year-old metal stamping and precision toolmaking specialist that produces millions of parts that are sent across the world every week.

The Loughborough engineering graduate, who is chair of the Make UK National Advisory board and Co-Chair of the Industry Advisory Board for Birmingham City University, is a massive advocate of developing our engineers of the future, putting in place a bespoke apprenticeship programme that currently accounts for 15% of the firm’s workforce, whist advocating communication, technicality, and entrepreneurship as the core foundations of employability of all emerging engineers.

Rowan was awarded an MBE in 2024 for his services to manufacturing and enterprise.

Shoshanna is an Early Careers, Gen-Z Engagement Expert and Founder of Fairy Job Mother.

She started her business over her frustration at the lack of good career advice and preparation there was for the world of work, during and after education. Coming from an underrepresented background she failed her exams, got fired from her first job, and felt unequipped to succeed.

After climbing the ladder to global a tech leadership position in her mid 20's and seeing the issue continue she turned her frustration into action and founded Fairy Job Mother, combining all her learnings as a young person and leader from the corporate world.

Now on a mission to empower young people with the skills and confidence they need for impactful careers, while also giving leaders the understanding and tools to engage, inspire and elevate the next generation.

Her work has been featured in CNBC, Business Insider, The Times, The Independent, The Metro, LinkedIn HQ and more and she has worked with organisations like M&S, BT, Accenture, and Diageo.

Gemma Edwards is a Client Manager for City & Guilds specialising in workforce skills development, she has worked in skills development/education sector for over 13 years. Working with a team of experts to lead employer engagement activity supporting global employers with strategic workforce planning in key business areas from Early Careers through to Leadership and Management. Gemma has built her career primarily within the Further Education arena working with both global employers and training organisations.  Gemma’s current role allows her to support people and global organisations develop the relevant skills that will help businesses thrive and plan for future growth.

Simon Farnfield is the Event Director of the UK’s leading annual manufacturing and engineering trade shows namely Advanced Engineering, held at the NEC (29 - 30 October 2025), and Southern Manufacturing and Electronics, now in its 27th edition, held in Farnborough (4-7 February 2025). Simon is a media and events expert, with over 25 years’ experience working for major international media and events brands. In his career, Simon has developed a strong knowledge and passion for helping industries grow and attract new and diverse talent pools as well as creating leading events for communities to develop. During his career, he has managed The Times Top 50 Employers for Women; The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For; The Sun Employment Roadshow and launched a trade show for working in the events industry called Event Careers Live. 

Mark Feathers is a Manager of Product Marketing at Epicor, responsible for manufacturing ERP solutions across the international region. He holds APICS CPIM & CSCP accreditations and is committed to helping manufacturing organisations improve their operational effectiveness.

Richard has been in the solar industry for nearly 15 years.  His knowledge and passion for the solar industry is unprecedented. Starting out as an installer in both residential and commercial systems, to then working for global leading solar panel and inverter manufacturers.  "Understanding the combination of generation, usage, storage and transport is key as we transition to a decarbonized future" 

Tom Greatrex became Chief Executive of the NIA in 2016. Formerly Member of Parliament for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, Tom was shadow energy minister from 2011 – 2015 and served as a member of the Energy Select Committee from 2010 and from 2007-2010 was a policy adviser in the Scotland Office, including on energy.

In a varied prior career, he was a Director of Corporate Affairs for the NHS in Scotland, a chief officer in local government and a GMB trade union official in England. Outside of work his main interests are family, football (Fulham) and film. He is a member of the FA Council, the governing body of English football, vice-chair of the Football Supporters’ Association and a school governor.

Although he has now had a number of senior ministerial roles, Andrew is not your usual 'career politician'. 

After working in the City of London for PriceWaterhouse Coopers and NM Rothschild, he joined Sky plc where he spent a twenty-year career - serving for a time as the youngest Financial Director of any FTSE 100 company. Andrew also served for a year as non executive Chairman of Just Eat plc for which he was awarded Non-Executive Director of the Year by The Sunday Times.

He served as the Economic Secretary to the Treasury – also known as the ‘City’ Minister - in 2022 and 2023 and delivered a wide-ranging package of Brexit reforms to improve the competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector, boost investment by British pension funds in Britain and support wealth creators. He was also the lead Treasury Minister on the successful rescue of Silicon Valley Bank UK. He now serves as the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade.

Tom Hollands is the Innovation and Technical Director at Raynor Foods, he is also Honorary Fellow of the IFST and previously one of its trustees. Tom is an accomplished Food Scientist who has worked in both government (Food Standards Agency) and the private sector. Tom is a true innovator at heart and has won many national and international accolades, last year he was awarded with the Honorary Fellowship from the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), in recognition for his extraordinary contributions to the IFST and wider food system as a food scientist and innovator. Tom’s innovations are focused on sustainability and meta food systems, their emerging technologies and the fascinating and complex links that join them.

Dawn is an accomplished professional, serving as Regional Director for the North of England for Make UK. With a strong background in the manufacturing sector, Dawn is deeply passionate about driving innovation and growth within the industry. As a dedicated STEM Ambassador, she actively works to inspire and engage the next generation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 

Throughout her career, Dawn has embraced diverse roles including business coaching, where she has empowered individuals and teams to reach their full potential in business. her expertise also extends to managing high profile public funded programs, successfully delivering impactful initiatives aimed at making a difference within communities. 

With a wealth of experience and a relentless drive for excellence, Dawn continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of manufacturing and fostering a culture of learning and development within the North.

Barbara provides health, safety, environmental, quality and sustainability consultancy. Additionally, she compliments this by delivering training support for members and sharing her knowledge, expertise, and insight. Barbara represents Make UK in BSI’s HS/1 Occupational Health and Safety Management committee.

Barbara is able to draw upon extensive experience in management across multiple sectors, including manufacturing (pharmaceutical, petrochemical, FMCG), major construction projects and the waste and recycling industry.

With nearly 30 years’ experience working as a Global HR Director and consultant, across various industries, Nicola assists Make UK clients with their people, business performance and growth developing commercially astute solutions that not only add value but work within the confines of operational business bringing a wealth of knowledge and first-hand experience.

She has built and managed HR teams and worked hand in hand with Executive Boards to make the employee lifecycle fit for purpose, ensuring that the skills and recruits of today are built into longer term success, as part of a proactive succession plan.

Andrew leads the Strategy team for Infor Discrete Manufacturing globally. His role involves developing a deep understanding of customer needs, their challenges and ambitions and the technologies that help them achieve their transformations and growth. Based in the UK, Andrew’s background is in manufacturing and supply chain and the enterprise applications that serve these.

Andrew Kinniburgh is Director-General of Make UK Defence, the Defence Trade Association belonging to Make UK - the Manufacturers' Organisation. He joined Make UK in 2019 from the Cabinet Office where he was Wider Government Engagement Lead for the Government Commercial Organisation, following a 25 year career in the defence and security industry. He spent nearly 10 years with Serco Defence, followed by senior appointments with Smiths Detection and two Ministry of Defence trading funds and a 7 year spell as an independent consultant. He holds a BA in Business from Heriot-Watt University and an MSc in International Defence Marketing from Cranfield University / UK Defence Academy. Andrew has been involved with Defence Ministries and businesses in the Defence and Security sectors across most European countries and in North America, as well as the UK. Make UK Defence represents 300 UK Defence Suppliers ranging from SMEs and mid tiers, to major Primes and is the lead Trade Association for the MOD's Defence Suppliers Forum SME Working Group.

Rob Law is the designer, founder and CEO of Trunki, the innovative company helping children to explore the world with their line of ride-on suitcases. He has led the business from an idea turned down by all the manufacturers and retailers he approached to a global business and leader in its sector.

As a design student, Rob entered a competition to design a new suitcase. Whilst researching in a shop he realised how dull luggage was, and drew inspiration from the toy department. He won the competition with a whole new idea – a suitcase for a child that they could also ride on. Advised to take the idea to market, Rob was rejected by manufacturers and retailers alike, always with the same response – luggage people said it was a toy; toy people said it was luggage. Rob licensed his idea to a manufacturer but the product didn’t take off, so he started his own business. Trunki invented and shaped a whole new sector in children’s luggage. It went on to sell millions, has won dozens of design awards, and inspired countless imitators.

Along the way Rob turned challenges into great opportunities. He famously rejected the offer he received on Dragons’ Den (after Theo Paphitis had broken one of the suitcases) but the exposure led to scores of orders and messages of support. When the airline ban on hand luggage was imposed, the company focused on domestic travel.

The Trunki company also went on to purchase a failing British factory in order to expand and improve their supply chain. The scale of the challenge for the company, now a manufacturer as well as a designer and brand, turned out to be huge. Rob installed a specialist in the sector to help turn around the facility from the bottom up, radically changing the culture and the practices on the shopfloor and in the boardroom.

Over two decades since he first had the idea, Rob remains a designer at heart and retains a thirst for new ideas and innovative solutions. He has gone on to launch two subsequent ventures - Aphelion Agency, which empowers brands to thrive on Amazon; and Zeepy, an innovative start-up devoted to enhancing natural sleep in infants and young children. He considers what it means to think differently and how any business can be innovative. He also looks at navigating a global marketplace and building a brand reflecting on export successes, including in China where Trunki is seen as a status symbol. He examines the lessons he’s learned in leadership, taking risks and understanding your customer, as well as the effects of the changing face of retail. He also explains his four core business values – dynamism, fun, responsibility, and innovation – which each employee defines their own way.

Lisa brings over 25 years of HR experience across various industries, with more than 16 years within defence manufacturing and engineering. She has held roles at all levels of HR, including Vice President of HR. Lisa has led HR teams across a variety of geographies, navigating the challenges of international employment. As a member of both the senior leadership and global HR teams, she has collaborated with leaders to drive and embed change and transformation programs. As a strategic partner, Lisa focuses on developing solutions that foster business and employee growth.

An experienced safety professional, Paul is the SHE Manager for leading engineering solutions company, BRUSH Group. Operating from a number of sites across the UK, Paul, and the dedicated team that he manages, provide safety guidance across a wide range of disciplines, including heavy-duty manufacturing, construction, civils, and working with high-voltage electricity.

Paul has enjoyed a long career with BRUSH, initially joining the company as a craft apprentice. He now works to apply his decades-long knowledge of the business and its operations to deliver practical solutions that create a safety culture which empowers individuals and encourages colleagues to think safe and work safe. Along with his practical experience of safe working, Paul has undertaken relevant safety training and attended many courses run by Make UK.

Mike is the Managing Director and co-owner of PES Performance Ltd and has experience in multiple business environments. His previous experience includes eleven years in multisite retailing, where as a Regional Operations Director, Mike operated 175 businesses with an annual turnover of £153 million and a team of circa 3000 + within his region.

Mike is Chair of Make UK’s Yorkshire and Humber Regional Membership board and a member of the Make UK National Membership Board. He is a Visiting Professor with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield, is a member of the Sheffield region Science & Innovation Board, and a Board member of the Yorkshire Space Hub. He also sits on several committees advising Government.

Mike is a member of the Small Business Charter (SBC) main board, responsible for University Business School accreditation and driving the national ‘Help to Grow’ programme for BEIS which supports SME business owners.

He was also an Export Champion (2019-22) for the Department of International Trade (DIT) and has represented the DIT on international trade missions, discussing and presenting on the subject of UK Innovation.

Mike intimately understands performance markets, having competed for GBR in the sport of Skeleton bobsleigh for seven years. He also understands people, pressure environments and detailed operational planning from his thirteen years as a clearance diver and bomb disposal operative in the Royal Navy.

Laura McBrown, the Managing Director of G&B Electronics., is a dynamic businesswoman with 25 years of experience in the field of contract electronics manufacturing. Based in Bordon, Hampshire, Laura has made significant contributions to the company’s success across various sectors, including medical, military and aerospace.

A compassionate leader and champion of best practice development Laura’s visionary leadership has transformed the company’s culture, setting a clearer vision and introducing core values. Her achievements have been recognised by several. These prestigious accolades celebrate outstanding manufacturing leaders and their impact on UK businesses. Laura’s dedication to her talented team has been instrumental in achieving this recognition.

Laura is also a passionate ambassador for Manufacturing in the UK and diversity in business devoting time to the industry as MAKE UK Regional Advisory Board Chair, their National Advisory Board Deputy Chair and a member of Enginuity’s SME Advisory Group.

Award-winning journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern is the presenter of the eponymous Steph's Packed Lunch, Channel 4's daily live lunchtime show. Steph is also one of the hosts of Have I Got News For You on BBC One and regularly appears on TV and radio panel shows. Prior to this, Steph worked in financial journalism for over 15 years and spent 8 years on BBC Breakfast, travelling all over the UK to cover economic news and broadcast live from over 500 businesses. Whether speaking to factory workers or FTSE 100 CEOs, Steph's mission was to uncover and explain the real economy. This is something she has continued in her Channel 4 show, with regular features such as her Small Business Market and Job Clinic. Away from news, Steph launched her own CBBC show looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs, Pocket Money Pitch. On BBC Two's Made in Great Britain, she joined 21st century makers exploring the skills and industries that built the nation. She co-hosted five series of the popular BBC One show Shop Well For Less and four series of the consumer rights institution Watchdog. And she joined Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall to present the BBC One health show Easy Ways to Live Well. Before becoming a correspondent, Steph was the lead producer of financial news for the BBC, working with then Business Editor Robert Peston at the forefront of the award-winning coverage of the credit crunch and banking crisis. She soon began broadcasting herself, and Steph delivered the business news on 5Live, Radio 4, and on the Chris Evans show on Radio 2 before getting a full-time role on BBC Breakfast. Originally from Middlesbrough, Steph started as an apprentice engineer at Black & Decker where, aged 19, she won the title of Young Engineer for Britain before studying at University College London. Outside of work, Steph is involved in community and education projects. She is a mentor for young people in her native Teesside and runs workshops with schoolchildren around the North East. Steph is a patron of the charity Rubies, supporting disadvantaged children, and is a former champion Irish dancer.

NEC has been involved in the Nuclear industry continuously since the early 1950’s, and has also over the decades been involved in numerous defence related projects.

Vince started with Newburgh after graduating in 1984 and worked in all areas of the business. Since becoming a Director in 1990 and Managing Director in 1996 Vince has guided the business through significant structural and cultural change.

In 2018 he, and the other directors, acquired the business and created Nuclear Energy Components Limited, where he acts as Chairman of the board.

Alongside this career Vince has been involved in a number of small business start-ups and large organisations.

Scott is a business development manager for Darchem Engineering’s Nuclear division. After obtaining a degree in Business Management from Teesside University he moved into the Oil & Gas and Offshore Wind industries, and now focusses on the development of Darchem’s Nuclear division. Scott is passionate about manufacturing in the North East, building upon he North East’s manufacturing heritage, and keen to develop Darchem’s manufacturing capabilities within the Nuclear sector.

Waleed provides consultancy and training services in several environmental areas, including waste and resource efficiency audits, net zero gap analysis, environmental management systems, and advice on waste treatment technologies. He has over 20 years national and international experience working in academia, government and consultancy on various sustainability projects. 

Chris leads on Make UK’s mission to promote and improve health, safety, and environmental management in organisations across the UK. Chris started at Make UK (formerly EEF) as HSCE Leader before progressing to Principal Advisor, then Product Development and Delivery Lead and, finally, Head of Learning before his current role. Prior to working for Make UK, Chris was QHSE Manager at Alstom Power

With over 22 years in the corrugated packaging industry, Louise has combined organisational, leadership, and structural expertise to build an efficient, scalable business. Her leadership philosophy emphasises investing in people, fostering engagement, and creating a supportive learning environment.

Louise has developed a business model centred on five key pillars: Sales & Marketing, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Accounts, and Transport & Warehousing. This structured approach ensures operational excellence while integrating sustainable practices and innovative packaging solutions.

A passionate advocate for progress, Louise has witnessed the manufacturing industry’s evolution from manual processes to automation and has worked with academics to explore efficiency and productivity dynamics. Her insights continue to drive impactful improvements and industry-leading results.

Dr Dan Parvaz is the Northern Membership Manager for Make UK Defence and is responsible for member growth, retention and event organisation within the region. Dan joined Make UK Defence in 2023 where he employs his commercial experience and knowledge of the innovation landscape to support his members.

Dan started his career as a geologist exploring for metals before becoming Global Business Development and R&D Lead in mining and laboratory equipment for Selfrag AG. Several publications and countless talks to industry and academic worldwide, Dan is a globally recognised proponent and thought leader in the application of high voltage electric pulse fragmentation. In 2019 he established Lightning Machines Limited, a consultancy performing R&D into mineral processing and recycling technology, working with Newcrest, Rio Tinto and Sandvik among others.

Dan also sits on the Commercial Activities Board for and Chairs the Scholarly Publications Committee for the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining. When off the clock he can be found swimming, sampling craft ales or board gaming.

The Services Formula: Key Ingredients for Unlocking Value

Tim is an international programme manager with a reputation for planning and executing valuable, strategic change in the way a business is structured and operates, to deliver on optimisation, sustainability, security and digitisation/productivity.

The majority of his career has been spent in the technology industry, at HP and Xerox. In more recent times he was responsible for managing the global programmes that brought together, re-positioned and broadened the reach of Xerox’s ‘as a service’ print and digital offerings. This was after being regionally responsible for many of the underlying managed services.

Since leaving Xerox, Tim has independently authored an in-depth case study on the evolution of their managed print services with Aston University’s Advanced Services Group and – given the importance of funding to equipment-based services – now works for Invigors EMEA, trusted advisors to the European asset finance industry.

Robert Peston is ITV’s Political Editor and host of their flagship politics and current affairs show, Peston. He covers the latest happenings in Westminster and interviews important players on the national and international political scenes. In addition, he co-hosts, with Steph McGovern, the podcast The Rest Is Money where they explore what we need to know about the economic issues that affect our everyday lives, decode business jargon, and revisit some of the biggest financial events of the last half century.

Prior to his high-profile move to ITV, Robert was the BBC’s Economics Editor, revealing the stories behind the statistics and explaining the implications of domestic, European, and global economic shifts. Before that, as Business Editor, he broadcast and published a series of exclusive and influential stories about the global financial situation. He revealed the crises at Northern Rock and RBS, the emergency rescue of HBOS, and the tumult around the credit crunch, bailouts, and austerity.

Before joining the BBC, Robert was City and Assistant Editor of the Sunday Telegraph, in charge of the business and money sections, and the FT's Financial Editor. At the FT, he was a member of the editorial board and earlier he served as its Political Editor, Banking Editor, and founder of the investigations unit.

Away from the cameras Robert has also won plaudits for his online journalism. He is the author of critically acclaimed books including How Do We Fix This Mess? and Who Runs Britain?. Both examine the causes and longterm implications of the 2008 financial crisis. In Bust? he considers the state of the economy, society and politics and explains the urgent need to remodel institutions, learn lessons from other countries, and embrace AI, a subject Robert is particularly passionate about and engaged with. Whilst in WTF?, described by the Financial Times as “mandatory reading”, he takes a broader look at the world, what’s gone wrong, and proposes possible solutions across politics, society and business.

Amongst over thirty journalism awards Robert has to his name, he has won the Royal Television Society's Journalist of the Year, Specialist Journalist of the Year, and Scoop of the Year (twice), the Wincott Prize for financial journalism, and the Broadcasting Press Guild's award for Best Performer in a non-acting role.

Robert has written and presented several documentaries and factual series, notably four films about China's boom and possible bust, two on the EU referendum, three films on the financial crisis, and the popular series Robert Peston Goes Shopping. Away from journalism Robert is also the founder of the education charity Speakers for Schools, and the Vice President of Hospice UK.

Stephen Phipson CBE has been the Chief Executive Officer of Make UK since joining in 2017. Stephen previously spent 5 years as a senior civil servant holding the position of Head of the Defence and Security Organisation within the Department for International trade delivering export support to UK defense and security businesses prior to this Stephen held the position of Director for Security Industry Engagement within the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism at the Home Office. Before serving in the UK Government Stephen spent 35 years in senior roles in the manufacturing industry including 15 years with Smiths Group plc as President of Smiths Detection where he was awarded a CBE in 2010 for services to the Security industry. Stephen has worked extensively abroad in high technology manufacturing businesses and started his career as an engineering apprentice with the Plessey company.

Roy Rickhuss CBE is a British trade union leader and General Secretary of the Community Union since 2013. Beginning his career in 1979 at Monmore Tubes, he became active in the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) and was appointed as a Full-Time Office in 1993. He later served as a National Officer for ISTC and when the ISTC merged with KFAT to form Community in 2004 he became the Assistant General Secretary. He also holds positions on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and other union executive bodies.  

In 2019, he was awarded a CBE for his services to the steel industry. 

Laura Sandys has been working in energy transformation for 20 years and chairs The Green Alliance, The Food Foundation and Electrify Industry.  She is an advisor to the International Energy Agency on smart grids and is on the board of SSE Transmission, Ohme Global, Sero Homes and Highview Power. 

Laura was the Chair of the UK Government’s Energy Digitalisation Taskforce and is now working globally to spread best practise of the digitalisation of the energy system.  She was also a member of the UK Government’s Energy Efficiency Taskforce chairing the domestic efficiency working group.

She co-founder of POWERful Women and was former Deputy Chair of the Food Standards Agency.   She chaired the Northern Ireland Energy Strategy Group and is member of the UK Ministerial Council for Carbon Capture and Storage.

She was previously a Member of Parliament for South Thanet, and described by The Times as ‘one of the sanest of all MPs’ and as ‘lateral-minded, original and free-thinking’.

Tim Shipman is the Chief Political Commentator and former Political Editor of the Sunday Times. In over 15 years of journalism he has reported on some of the biggest events in British, American and international politics.

Before joining the Sunday Times, Tim served as Deputy Political Editor of the Daily Mail, and as Washington Correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph. He also held several posts, both Political and Foreign, at the Daily and Sunday Express.

Tim has reported on stories from the war in Kosovo to Bill Clinton's impeachment. He’s covered security and international relations, and led the Express’s coverage of the Iraq War, reporting from the US Central Command in Doha.

In the UK, Tim is a familiar face in the corridors of Westminster and has insider knowledge on the plots, personalities and procedures that define parliamentary life. As well as serious insight in to the political events of the day, and the likely outcomes, he also delivers amusing anecdotes from his time following the Obama campaign to the secrets of the Commons’ bars and committee rooms.

Tim is the author of the revealing book All Out War: The Full Story of How Brexit Sank Britain's Political Class. The book, compiled with access to some of the key players in the EU referendum campaign including Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and Nigel Farage, looks at the events leading up to and during the campaign that would change the face of UK politics more than any other for a generation. The follow-up, Fall Out: A Year of Political Mayhem examines the tumult following the election of Theresa May as PM through to the the snap election that followed a 12 months later. As well as his Sunday Times role Tim has also written for The Spectator and Total Politics, and is an avid Twitter user sharing his entertaining take on politics and occasionally sport.

Mike is currently QHSE Manager for SMC Corporation (UK) Ltd for last 3 ½ years, based in Milton Keynes at their UK Sales HQ, distribution, and production facility.

Company has been certified to ISO14001 since 2000, Carbon Neutral for last 4 years, ESOS report submitted last year with action plans and currently developing local and EU wide processes to report to the new CSRD directive.

Previously driven Quality improvements across the supply chain and improved customer experience for Hewlett-Packard Enterprise/HP Inc. in Networking and Storage equipment.

Gareth Stace has been Director General of UK Steel since 2015, representing the sector to Government, Parliament, and the media, while advocating for a level playing field for British steelmakers on the global and domestic market.

He also serves as Executive Director of the International Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB), a leading supplier of global trade data for steel and raw materials. In addition, Gareth chairs the Energy Intensive Users Group, which champions fair energy prices, supply security, and cost-effective decarbonisation for energy-intensive industries. 

He holds a BSc in Environmental Science from King’s College London and is a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Nathan has worked in Aerospace and Defence for over 15 years, leading complex system engineering programmes for the Ministry of Defence and Tier 1 commercial businesses.

Nathan started his career in the Royal Navy, attending Dartmouth Royal Naval College in 2008. He joined Lionbridge after leaving the Royal Navy to work on Rolls Royce's Civil Large Engine new programmes. Nathan joined Cobham in 2016 working as their Global PMO Director, working on complex systems engineering programmes in weapons carriage and release, air-to-air refuelling, and telecommunications, before joining AWE.

Alexia is a Through Life Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce, where her career has spanned the entire Defence Portfolio. Starting as an Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice, she progressed to a Master’s Degree Apprenticeship in Through-Life System Sustainment, driving innovation in the maintenance and availability of long-life assets. Her projects include reducing turnaround times for military engine repairs and using data analytics to enhance Navy asset availability.

Beyond her technical role, Alexia is a Non-Executive Director at EAL and a Trustee on the Board of Enginuity, supporting education and skills development in engineering. Passionate about promoting STEM careers and apprenticeships, she has contributed over 200 hours in the past year to outreach activities. She also serves as Chair of the IfATE Apprentice Panel, an Apprentice Representative for the UCAS Apprenticeship Stakeholder Group, and a member of the IET Young Professionals Committee and IMechE Bath and Bristol Young Members Panel.

Alexia’s dedication and leadership have earned her multiple awards as an apprentice and engineer. Rising from Apprentice to Technical Lead in under six years, she exemplifies the values of trust, integrity, and safety. Through her work and advocacy, Alexia is not only driving engineering excellence but also inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM.

Mike Wilson has over 40 years of experience in the application of automation to manufacturing across a broad range of industry sectors and is widely recognised as one of the leading authorities on the application of industrial robot systems in the UK.

Mike Wilson is Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), leading the drive to increase the adoption of robotics and automation throughout UK manufacturing. Supported by the existing expertise and extensive resources within the Manufacturing Technology Centre, he provides assistance to companies aiming to gain benefits from the increased application of automation.

Andrea Wilson is a Director of Hone-All Precision, a specialist SME based in Leighton Buzzard offering precision machining services in deep hole boring, deep hole drilling, CNC honing and CNC turning, with a skilled team of forty-two.

Hone-All is a successful company with a vibrant and strong brand, recognised throughout the industry and regularly cited as an exemplar business for continuous improvement and regular investment in both their teams and technology.

The business services over four thousand customers who represent every industry including Aerospace, Defence, Automotive, Petrochemical, Nuclear, and Construction.

Andrea has spent over 25 years working to improve the awareness, recognition, and image of the industry within the UK and has been active in influencing the Government’s approach and focus to ensure long term manufacturing strategic planning and success.

This included membership of the EEDA Manufacturing Panel, the Automotive Academy Steering Committee, the NSAM / SEMTA skills Council for the Eastern region and the MTA Training & Education Committee.

She was Chair of the Make UK Eastern Regional Advisory Board for over 10 years and still sits on the Make UK RAB.

She is a passionate campaigner for a dedicated Minister for Manufacturing to represent engineering and manufacturing and improve the knowledge of, and support for, SME businesses within Government in the hope of changing the “one size fits all” approach once and for all.