2023 Judges

Dr Alan Arthur is the Chief Executive Officer of the GTMA, a trade association representing the UK Manufacturing Supply Chain. With 300 member companies working in all sectors and tiers of industry the GTMA promotes members and actively works to generate business opportunities.

Alan is a Chartered Engineer, embracing a range of technical disciplines across manufacturing, mechanical, and civil engineering.  Over 40 years Alan has worked on a wide range of products and services, with international experience in project delivery and supply chain management.  He is an experienced tutor and mentor and has previously worked with other manufacturing trade associations.

Gareth Edwards is Programme Director of the new £22m AMPI which is being led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPI). The AMPI will be a Rochdale-based institute focused on developing world-leading machinery innovation, advanced materials, automation and production capabilities.

Gareth has worked at the NPI for more than 13 years, where he was previously Strategy Lead for Industrial Digitalisation and Head of Advanced Manufacturing and has vast experience in and a passion for innovation, technology and engineering.

Since joining BAE Systems in 1991, Jon has held many roles across manufacturing and project management. His early career was on Tornado, Airbus and T35 Goshawk before progressing to executive roles on Typhoon starting with the transformation for initial and rate production and culminating with handover across Europe.

More recently, he has been involved with Customer Change Programmes, workload repatriation to site and running the Typhoon & F35 detail businesses and then as Head of Operations for F35 Assembly at Samlesbury site. This role focused on moving a 1-a-week delivery system to 3-a-week ramping a multi-functional and multi shift team from 140 to 600 over a 4 year period. Jon spent 12 months “transforming” the Airframe Procurement function at Samlesbury. This involved Organisation Design, Business Process definition/re-design, introduction of an Order Book Planning Spine, Supplier Strategy/selection and the generating of a cultural shift.  

Jon’s current role since January 2019 is that of Manufacturing & Manufacturing Engineering Director in the Chief Technology Office. Key focus areas are establishing common policies and processes (develop once, use many time), developing Manufacturing Engineering as a key enabler, identifying and sharing best practices, developing Manufacturing Systems strategy & architecture, rolling out a Cyber Policy for Industrial Control Systems and connecting the various areas of expertise across the organisation as well as “helping out” in sectors that have specific problems. Jon also support several Life Cycle Management reviews as Manufacturing assessor/Chair and supports the Be the Business and Productivity Through People Mentoring programmes with external companies.

Pete Lomas is Director of Engineering for Norcott Technologies, a UK based electronics design and manufacturing company. He has spent the last 30 years helping bring product ideas to life. He has worked with a wide range of start-ups and blue-chip companies in industries as diverse as video security, fire detection, data communications, engine test, building management, medical robotics and scientific instrumentation for large scientific experiments. 

His passion is encouraging the next generations to engage in STEM subjects and is the co-creator of hugely successful Raspberry Pi computer. He also established the associated charitable foundation and served as a trustee for over 10 years. Its mission is to put creativity, experimentation and fun back into the teaching and informal engagement in computer science and electronic engineering through digital making.

Pete is currently President of the Institution of Engineering Designers promoting all aspects of engineering design and professional registration.

James has been with the Manufacturing Technologies Association since 2011. The MTA is the UK’s trade association for companies in the manufacturing technology sector.  MTA members design, manufacture and supply the advanced machinery, equipment and intellectual property that enable the creation of the products we rely on from day to day and that drive our economy.

Starting in the skills and communication department, James has looked after the MTA flagship school’s competition based around design & manufacturing as well as a number of services provided by the association. Having moved through the business, James is currently Head of Operations overseeing membership and events at the association. Among his responsibilities James looks after the MACH Exhibition which is the industry’s largest showcase of manufacturing technology taking place every 2 years at the NEC.

Adrian Haller is Chairman of the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association, a trade association representing the interests of the UK’s power press makers. The MMMA has over 40 members, spanning hydraulic and superplastic forming presses to circular saws, press feeding equipment and fully integrated coil handling lines.

Adrian is a trained mechanical engineer and is also Managing Director of Bruderer UK, a provider of high-speed stamping presses, where he was previously technical sales director and sales manager.

Strategic leader with over 10 years' experience of advocacy, research, funding and activities to improve STEM education and outcomes across the UK.

McLaren Applied develops and delivers advanced engineering and technology solutions for customers in motorsport, automotive, transport and mining sectors, building on a 30 year heritage in Formula 1.

As Chief Operating Officer Samir has executive responsibility for all McLaren Applied’s Business Units. He has previously held senior roles at Babcock International Group plc, the UK Defence and Security company, and Lafarge SA, the Paris-based Cement company. He also spent eight years as a Consultant with McKinsey & Company based in London and Dubai working across strategy, organisation and operational topics.

Samir started his career as a Graduate Engineer with Ford Motor Company and Aston Martin. He holds an MEng in Engineering, Economics and Management from the University of Oxford and an MBA in General Management from INSEAD in France.

Ben brings 25 years of Marketing experience ranging from developing strategies for automotive brands & tech start-ups to leading digital transformation and global communications. Ben has worked with brands including BP, Castrol, GM, Vauxhall, Saab & Prodrive – giving him unique strategic insight into the transition from combustion to sustainable mobility.

A Chartered Engineer who joined the Advanced Propulsion Centre in January 2018. Experienced and knowledgeable on the UK’s transport modes and infrastructure, she works to support the development of strategies that incubate collaborations. The Advanced Propulsion Centre has committed well over £1bn investment into zero and low carbon automotive innovation, with the resulting products reducing carbon emissions and providing lasting economic benefits from jobs and inward investment. A key part of Philippa’s role is to help with joining dots between government, academia and industry to develop solutions, to attract investment to create, develop and sustain UK supply chains, driving job creation and growth in products and services to enable the UK to deliver net-zero solutions. Key external roles include being a Board Member of Zemo Partnership, as Chair of Members Council and the Co-Chair of Industry Advisory Group for Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge.

Currently Head of Communications at Make UK, Mark has worked in a variety of communications and public affairs toles within industry for over 30 years. Prior to Make UK, previous roles included spells at T&N plc, GKN Westland, the Manufacturing Technologies Association and a spell as a Naval Officer.

Leah joined the National Composites Centre, one of the seven High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) centres in 2014, delivering R&D projects for the likes of Airbus and Jaguar Land Rover as a Research Engineer before specialising in technical programme management.  With a passion for supporting smaller businesses, she was part of the team which founded NCC Connect – The NCC’s dedicated SME support team. In her last year as Head of SME, her team supported over 200 businesses to deliver over 400 impacts, completed 80 R&D projects and secured over £7.5m of funding for the SME community – all whilst maintaining an average customer satisfaction score of 9/10! Leah is now SME Lead in the HVMC HQ team where she is working across all seven centres to inspire a shared vision to champion collaborative working, simplify the SME customer journey and experience, and develop new offerings and services to support the UK SME manufacturing community to achieve their net zero, digital transformation and productivity ambitions.