WMG centre for High Value Manufacturing, at the University of Warwick, has welcomed its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Simon Webb.

Simon, who was previously Head of Zero Carbon Strategy for the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), has over 20 years’ experience in aerospace engineering, technology and strategy leadership.

Prior to this, he was the Chief of Technology and Digital (Civil Aerospace) at Rolls-Royce, responsible for a portfolio of technology strategy and execution programmes globally.

Simon has a background in leading the development, design and manufacture of aerospace engines including the engineering teams on the world’s most efficient large aero-engine, the Trent XWB, and more recently the Rolls-Royce Titanium-Composite Fan System development activity.

He also sits on the board of directors for the JetPerfect Foundation, focusing on zero carbon flight technologies; and the technical advisory board of the ENABLE-H2 hydrogen research programme led by Cranfield University.

With his extensive industrial and technical background, Simon will help continue WMG’s work to accelerate new concepts in manufacturing into commercial reality, helping businesses tackle challenges with innovations in technologies, processes and materials.

Simon Webb comments: “I’m delighted to be joining WMG as Chief Technology Officer and by extension being part of the University of Warwick. I’m looking forward to further developing and applying the technologies and capabilities WMG has to offer into industry, and in doing so improving the sustainability of our transportation network and beyond. I expect to work closely across the High Value Manufacturing Catapult network to integrate our capabilities and so maximise the benefits to industry, the UK, and our global partners.”

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult says: “We are delighted to welcome Simon to the team. He brings with him a wealth of experience in aerospace and digital manufacturing, centred around zero carbon propulsion. Simon’s aerospace expertise broadens our depth of knowledge at WMG, and we are looking forward to learning more from him.”

Professor Chris Dungey, High Value Manufacturing Catapult CTO, says: “Simon is joining the HVMC family at an exciting time. We are entering a new chapter which will see the Centres across the network working more collaboratively than ever before, and I am looking forward to working with Simon and the wider CTO team to help the Catapult deliver industrial transformation for the UK.”

Find out more about the High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres here: https://hvm.catapult.org.uk/

WMG’s SME group have been awarded as manufacturing innovation champions for their work with Midlands manufacturers at an awards ceremony held in Birmingham by membership group – the Technology Supply Chain.

They were celebrated for the delivery of the DI4M (Digital Innovation for Manufacturing programme), a four-year project funded by the High Value Manufacturing Catapult and ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) to aid SME manufacturers adopt digital technology for increased productivity and profitability.

Over 300 businesses have already benefited from one-to-one project support from WMG experts to implement automation, new information systems, and digital manufacturing techniques with transformative results.

One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Daniel Robinson, Head of Finance, Operations & I.T, Gordon Ellis & Co said: “We’ve spent over 150 years in the industry. We know it well, however, we are looking to the future and need to use digital to continue to be innovative and competitive. WMG have the know-how in smart factories, and we got support that we wouldn’t have got anywhere else.”

Dr Mark Swift, Head of SME Programmes at WMG, University of Warwick said: “We are delighted to have received this award in recognition of our work with the Midlands manufacturing community. Our team cut through the technical jargon to get things done. From quick wins, helping businesses minimise waste in a process to longer term projects, implementing technology such as sensors and cameras to better track production throughput. The results can be transformational for businesses who are having to navigate some of the most challenging times.”

WMG were also jointly awarded the engineering innovation champion prize for delivery of the Made Smarter programme with partners at the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth LEP Hub, West Midlands Combined Authority and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC).

Find out more about WMG’s work with SMEs here

The WMG Outreach and SME teams, at the University of Warwick, were pleased to lend their support to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, for a unique project inspired by Coventry artist and campaigner, Daniel Lismore.

The gallery hosted a series of masterclasses challenging local community groups to create their own mannequins using the techniques and skills adopted by Daniel in his recent exhibition ‘Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Taken.’

Daniel Lismore is known for his elaborate and extravagant creations that combine haute couture with charity-shop finds, including yards of vintage fabrics, found objects, ribbons, feathers, chain mail, shells, ethnic jewellery and retro accessories in an expression of creative energy, whilst giving voice to social calls for action and politically driven campaigns.

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum approached Professor Margaret Low, Director of Outreach and Widening Participation at WMG, in need of some specialist equipment to help with the masterclasses. The WMG SME Team owned this equipment, and kindly agreed to loan it.

Amanda Haran, Community Engagement Officer at Culture Coventry explained: “Daniel was introduced to vacuum forming by English National Opera and as our aim was to make the creative journey as artistically authentic as that taken by Daniel, we were thrilled when the team at WMG offered the use of their machine.”

Bethany Haynes, Engineering Technician in the WMG SME Team, attended each of the masterclasses and guided the community groups through the vacuum forming process, enabling them to create some really imaginative pieces, combining engineering skills with process art.

Bethany explains: “No object, providing it could withstand the heat, was off limits. We used key rings, broken bits of jewellery, fabrics and even real apples.

“It was a brilliant project to work on, totally different from anything I’ve done before, and it was lovely to have the freedom to add my own ideas to the designs too.”

Amanda added: “Beth's instruction and support have been truly amazing, from making pomegranate moulds, to sourcing the specialist preferred foam. She met the energy of the groups being encouraging and adventurous, helping them to create the forms that best illustrate their theme.”

The Daniel Lismore inspired mannequins will be on display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum throughout August. Find out more here: Home - The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

WMG at the University of Warwick has demonstrated its intentions to continue delivering industrially-informed research and education by bolstering its expertise and appointing Dr Alex Mouzakitis, Programme Director for Cyber Security at Jaguar Land Rover, as an Industrial Professor of Automotive Systems.

The new role has been awarded to Dr Mouzakitis in recognition of an influential 20-year career at Jaguar Land Rover, within which he has been leading collaborative multi-million-pound research and development projects and helping shape industrially relevant education across automotive machine learning, software development, architectural systems and cyber security with WMG since 2006.

The main objective of the Industrial Professorship is to bridge industry and academia, helping industrialise academic research approaches and shape education to help Jaguar Land Rover adopt the latest talent and technologies within its operations and product line.

As part of his new role, Dr Mouzakitis will be delivering lectures, defining agendas, addressing skills gaps and future needs for training, supporting bids for collaborative research projects, supervising PhD students and featuring on WMG advisory panels.

Commenting on the Industrial Professorship, Dr Mouzakitis said:

“It’s a privilege and an honour to receive the appointment. This is recognition for the work that I have done fully-hearted over the past 20 years, and this motivates me for the next 20 years. This also carries a level of responsibility to do more going forward as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Creators’ Code to deliver modern luxury through exceptional engineering. I’ve had an active working relationship with WMG for over 16 years and look forward to continuing this relationship to help prepare for and respond to future skills needs throughout the automotive industry.

“We need to produce graduates that are better equipped to take on industrial jobs from day one, without the need to retrain. I will be addressing this and exploring what we can do to close this skills gap. If we are to retain and add to the volume and quality of manufacturing in the UK, whilst remaining competitive globally, we need skills.”

Since achieving a PhD in ‘Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Autonomous Vehicles’ at the University of Wales (now known as the University of South Wales) in 2002, and later achieving an EngD (Title: Innovative Solutions for Automotive Embedded Software Development) at WMG, University of Warwick, Dr Mouzakitis has published over 135 academic papers across international journals and conferences and has also been actively contributing to the creation and delivery of MSc programme content.

Dr Mouzakitis is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the IET and InstMC engineering institutions. He is a member of Industrial Advisory Panels across several international conferences, a member of the InstMC System and Control Technology Panel, the InstMC National Council and the InstMC Accreditation Panel.  

Thomas Müller, Executive Director of Product Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, commented:

“I want to say a big congratulations to Alex. Not only is it a great personal achievement, but it is also hugely significant for Jaguar Land Rover. This appointment will help us to bridge the gap between industry and academia, something that is increasingly important as we continue to Reimagine and become a proud creator of modern luxury.”

Dr Mouzakitis has affiliations and collaborative research relationships with other internationally-renowned academic institutions, including the University of Cambridge, Harvard University, University of Oxford, MIT Media Lab, University of Birmingham, University of Southampton, University College London, University of Surrey, University of Edinburgh, Heriot Watt University, Loughborough University and Cranfield University. In addition, Dr Mouzakitis has featured as an external examiner for Masters and Doctoral level awards.

Professor Paul Jennings, Pro Dean (Research) at WMG, University of Warwick, has been collaborating with Dr Mouzakitis since 2006, and also mentored the newly-appointed Industrial Professor as part of his EngD. Commenting on the appointment, Professor Jennings said:

“This Industrial Professorship is recognition of Dr Mouzakitis’ significant achievements across systems engineering within industry. The award also acknowledges impressive academic contributions as a mark of quality and rigour across research and education.

“We will now further tap into Dr Mouzakitis’ extensive knowledge, experience and insights in the industry, and work together to ensure that our research and education programmes continue to be leading edge and are tuned to the requirements of a fast-changing industry as we move to electrified, connected and automated mobility.”

Dr Mouzakitis will be delivering his inaugural lecture as Industrial Professor of Automotive Systems at WMG, University of Warwick later this year.

Find out more about Dr Mouzakitis here.

ENDS

WMG, University of Warwick

WMG is a world leading research and education group, transforming organisations and driving innovation through a unique combination of collaborative research and development, and pioneering education programmes.

As an international role model for successful partnerships between academia and the private and public sectors, WMG develops advancements nationally and globally, in applied science, technology and engineering, to deliver real impact to economic growth, society and the environment.

WMG’s education programmes focus on lifelong learning of the brightest talent, from the WMG Academies for Young Engineers, degree apprenticeships, undergraduate and postgraduate, through to professional programmes.

An academic department of the University of Warwick, and a centre for the HVM Catapult, WMG was founded by the late Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya in 1980 to help reinvigorate UK manufacturing and improve competitiveness through innovation and skills development.

Staff from WMG, at the University of Warwick, were proud to support the EY Foundation’s Beyond Your Limits employability programme, helping care-experienced young people with their future careers.

The new partnership between Warwick, led by the University’s Social Inclusion Group, and the EY Foundation has been made possible with funding through a UKRI Higher Education Innovation Fund.

Beyond Your Limits aims to develop key skills that are essential for helping young people reach their true potential as they take their first steps into a career, apprenticeship, or further education. A total of eight young people enrolled on the 2021/22 programme with the University of Warwick.

Part of the programme required the young people to take part in a workplace experience, so the Social Inclusion Group worked to align the young people with departments that would support their career aspirations and interests.

The Beyond Your Limits programme has been specifically designed for care-experienced young people in education, aged 16-19. On the programme they receive paid employability training, work experience placements, a personal development grant, a business mentor and progression coach.

Three of the eight students were allocated to a WMG Research Fellow, Dr Craig Carnegie, who acted as a business host, providing five and a half days of structured work experience, facility tours and opportunities to network within WMG.

Craig explained: “I created tailored individual programmes for the students; taking into account their personal interests of aerospace, manufacturing and photography. They completed the various tasks on campus during the Easter and May school holidays. This project gave them the opportunity to experience real world research and engineering, at a time when they are choosing their paths to take for their future careers.

“It was a very rewarding experience, and although the placements have now finished, I’m still available for contact if they need support with job applications, helping them to improve their employability and professional networks. They were a remarkable group of young people, and I am looking forward to seeing what they go on to achieve in the future.”

Professor Margaret Low, WMG’s Director of Outreach and Widening Participation, explained: “Craig’s contribution to this project will have made a marked impact on these young people. It is so important that universities provide role models and support to the people who will make up the workforce of the future to ensure that science and engineering roles are accessible to people from all backgrounds. Thanks to Craig’s efforts with the EY Foundation WMG has been able to further support widening participation in higher education.

“We hope to be able to work with the EY Foundation and Warwick’s Social Inclusion Group again in the future."

Read more WMG Outreach news here: Public engagement and Outreach (warwick.ac.uk)

Professor Gill Cooke has been appointed as the new Pro-Dean (Education) at WMG, University of Warwick, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from both academia and industry.

Professor Cooke joins WMG from the School of Engineering, where she was Head of Teaching for almost six years. Prior to that she spent many years in various teaching and management roles at Coventry University including Associate Dean.

Gill left school at 16 to embark on an Engineering Technician Apprenticeship at Dunlop Aviation in Coventry. After completing her apprenticeship Gill qualified as a Quality Engineer working at Dunlop Aviation, Alvis Aerospace, and Jones and Shipman.

At WMG, Gill will develop and oversee the department’s strong education portfolio from undergraduate degrees and degree apprenticeships; to postgraduate degrees; overseas programmes; and professional education courses at the WMG Skills Centre, focusing on both the quality of the provision and the student experience.

Professor Cooke comments: “I’m incredibly passionate about apprenticeships and developing skills. I firmly believe that companies need diverse workforces that represent an inclusive society.

“Industrial demand for new skills and emerging talent is high. Companies are constantly looking to develop solutions to the complex challenges facing society, the economy and the environment. Now more than ever, bridging the gap between academia and industry is crucial in providing a student educational experience that meets industry needs.

“WMG’s approach to bridging this gap resonates strongly with me, and I’m really excited to be joining the team.”

Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG comments: “Gill’s appointment is an important step forward for WMG’s Education work. Her student centred and creative approach to learning and teaching will help guide the department as it seeks to enable learners from a diverse range of contexts to realise their aspirations. Gill is also passionate about the development of her colleagues and I am sure they will all benefit from her leadership.”

Find out more about WMG’s education programmes here: Education (warwick.ac.uk)

WMG’s Dr Greg Gibbons has been awarded the Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Senior Fellowship of SFHEA is an advanced level of professional standing that evidences expertise in teaching and learning in higher education.

Dr Gibbons said: “I am extremely pleased to have been awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). It is recognition of my understanding and use of effective approaches to teaching and learning support, and my contribution to providing high quality student learning within WMG.”

Dr Gibbons is responsible for the mentoring of student projects within the field of Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) processing of materials (metals, ceramics and polymers), at undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate level.

Read more about Dr Gibbons career and expertise here: WMG :: Our People :: Profile (warwick.ac.uk

WMG’s composites manufacturing expertise, on Project TUCANA, has been recognised at the prestigious JEC World Composites Innovation Awards 2022, in Paris.

The Awards celebrate innovation in design and manufacturing within the global composites industry. Project TUCANA, led by Jaguar Land Rover in partnership with WMG at the University of Warwick; Expert Tooling & Automation Limited; Broetje-Automation UK Ltd; Toray International U.K. Limited; CCP Gransden Ltd; and CFMS Limited, was announced as the winner of the Automotive and Road Transportation - Structural category.

WMG experts, led by Professor Ken Kendall, helped to develop a stiffer and lighter vehicle structure using light weight carbon fibre composite components.

The research, which took place in the Materials Engineering Centre, has developed world-leading cost effective, scalable carbon fibre composite solutions, with the view to boosting the performance of electric vehicles. Upon adoption of the design philosophy in JLR vehicles the total combined CO2 benefit of the project between 2023-2032 is projected to be 4.5 million tonnes.

Professor Ken Kendall explains:“Our research helped develop the design and manufacturing technology needed to optimise the vehicle body architecture required for electric vehicles, improving their environmental impact through reduced weight, improved rigidity and range extension.

“This project has helped develop the understanding of what is achievable through the use of mixed composite materials to improve structural performance at affordable cost for high volume manufacture. WMG were a key partner in developing and demonstrating the technologies required and transitioning this knowledge to our industrial partners. We are delighted that the project has received the recognition it deserves.”

The high quality of engineering research at the University of Warwick has been recognised within the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), which were made publicly available today.

The University’s engineering research has been ranked 20th out of 89 UK institutions (according to Times Higher Education), with over 90% of engineering research outputs being identified as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Colleagues from research, technical services, teaching and professional services at WMG and the School of Engineering combined to create a strong submission within the ‘B12 Engineering’ category, augmented by related research from the Department of Physics.

Reflecting on the results, Professor Robin Clark, Dean of WMG and Director of Education said: “With 93% of our engineering research rated world leading or internationally excellent, the joint submission with our colleagues in the School of Engineering demonstrates the quality and breadth of work being undertaken at the University.

“Covering a diverse range of topics and delivering cross disciplinary research to address global and industrial challenges is something we and our industry partners value, and it is something we will develop further in the future.”

Professor David Towers, Head of the School of Engineering added: “The results show strong positive progression in research outputs and impact case studies. Most notably, we have – and are continuing – to invest in research infrastructure, in clean energy technologies, biomedical engineering and sustainable cities with a core strength in predictive modelling, the majority of which is ranked as world-leading. Hence, we are optimistic of our potential to further expand our academic and societal impact over the coming years together with our industry partners.”

The collective submission acknowledged the work of the University’s engineering-based researchers, spanning key areas such as: embedding sustainability through energy innovation; helping people live longer and healthier lives through biomedical engineering; realising visions for future cities; maximising the potential of technology and society; and embedding innovation throughout materials and manufacturing.

As part of this, a series of case studies were submitted to illustrate the breadth and depth of impact generated throughout engineering research at the University. Over 60% of these case studies have received the highest rank of ‘world-leading’.

Professor Paul Jennings, Director of Research at WMG commented: "Our research constantly evolves to address the needs of our industry partners across many sectors. So, to achieve this recognition for its quality and impact, especially during a period of significant growth and change, is testament to the capability and hard work of colleagues across the whole of our department."

The REF is the UK’s system designed to evaluate the quality of research across higher education. The assessment is conducted by Research England (as well as equivalent funding bodies for institutions across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) through a process of expert review by academics, international members and research users.

WMG’s contribution within the submission involved significant partnership with industry and public bodies. The technical focus has evolved since REF 2014, to cover key themes such as vehicle electrification; sustainable materials; resilient manufacturing; and opportunities from improved use of data and connectivity. WMG's research also informs its education provision and skills programmes, as well as the national agenda, through initiatives like the National Electrification Skills Framework.

The School of Engineering spans Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Materials and Process Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Systems and Information Engineering, embedded within a single unified department to enable cross-fertilisation in research.

The results also recognised an increase in the economic and societal impact of the University’s research as a whole, which highlights the real-world benefit of the University’s work.

Commenting on the REF2021 assessment, Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick, said: “These results demonstrate the truly world class quality of our research, our approach and most importantly our people.

“This is an outstanding achievement and a source of tremendous pride for everyone connected with this great institution.

“Our research has always been driven by a strong sense of purpose and commitment to ensuring what we do has a positive impact on wider society. From helping to save lives through our modelling work during the Covid pandemic, and the development of new, sustainable forms of transport and energy, to making a fairer criminal justice system, and supporting our cultural institutions and creative industries, our research delivers real-world benefit.

“Overall, the REF results also reflect the remarkable strength, quality and breadth of research within the UK. The future for our researchers is bright and exciting. We will continue to push boundaries, innovate and learn through our research work so we can benefit more people, in more places, more often.”

Read more about WMG’s research impact here and find out more about WMG’s REF submission here.

Read more about the School of Engineering’s research impact here and more about their REF submission here.

Read more about the University’s research impact and innovation here. The University’s announcement can be viewed here.

WMG, at the University of Warwick, has appointed Dr Alok Choudhary as its new Professor of Supply Chain Management and Head of Supply Chain Group.

Dr Choudhary, who joined WMG earlier this month, brings a wealth of knowledge after more than a decade of working in supply chain management and logistics at Sheffield University Management School, and more recently as a Professor of Supply Chain Management at Loughborough University’s School of Business and Economics.

Alok comments: “I am excited to contribute to the success of a world-leading institution that is a powerhouse for creating research-led impact and developing innovative solutions for many industrial and societal challenges.

“More than ever before, innovation and transformation are needed to tackle some of the pressing global supply chain challenges we face today including sustainability, Net Zero, risk and digital transformation.

“I’m looking forward to leading WMG’s Supply Chain Group and collaborating with our industry partners and colleagues from across the University, to make a step-change in addressing these challenges.”

Alok served as a panel member of REF2021 Subpanel "Business and Management" as one of the only two operations and supply chain management experts. Most recently, Professor Choudhary worked with Midlands Engine and Energy Research Accelerator to develop the UK Midlands pan-regional green growth plan.

He has led and contributed to several projects funded by EPSRC, ESRC, European Union, RED and the British council with specific focus areas including Sustainability (including ESG issues, Decarbonisation and Circular Economy), Resilience and Digital Transformation in the supply chain. Dr Choudhary has served as a Guest Editor at many journals, as well as authoring and co-authoring over 100 research publications including over 55 for international journals.

He was a Visiting Faculty at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Ivey School of Business; Vienna University of Economics and Business, and a Visiting Researcher at Harvard Business School. He has also served as a scientific committee member, session chair and keynote speaker at several international conferences and delivered guest lectures at many universities across the world.

Find out more about WMG’s Supply Chain Group here.