WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre welcomes Executive Chair of Innovate UK

Wednesday 2 June 2025

WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult Centre welcomes Executive Chair of Innovate UK

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC) Centre at WMG, University of Warwick, was delighted to welcome Tom AdeyoolaLink opens in a new window – Executive Chair of Innovate UK – on Tuesday 1 July, as part of his tour of the UK’s Catapult NetworkLink opens in a new window.

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. It provides essential funding and support for large innovation infrastructure assets and projects, including the UK’s Catapult centres. Created to spearhead British innovation, the Catapult NetworkLink opens in a new window comprises nine world-leading Catapults designed to nurture growth and unlock business potential across a range of sectors, including energy systems, digital, and manufacturing.

Professor Stuart Croft with Tom Adeyoola and Professor David Greenwood.

Tom Adeyoola (centre) with Professor Stuart Croft (left) and Professor David Greenwood (right).

WMG is proud to play its part in advancing manufacturing by enhancing productivity and sustainability as one of six High Value Manufacturing Catapult Link opens in a new windowcentres – a strength the team was pleased to showcase during Mr Adeyoola’s visit.

Tom Adeyoola enjoyed a tour of WMG’s International Manufacturing Centre Engineering Hall, before meeting with key Catapult stakeholders.

Representatives from Jaguar Land Rover, Char.gy, and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC)Link opens in a new windowwere also in attendance to share their experience of working with WMG HVMC, plus Professor Stuart Croft – University of Warwick’s Vice-Chancellor and President – who explained how WMG’s HVMC Centre supports innovation within the wider University landscape.

The visit concluded with Tom Adeyoola sharing his vision for the future.

Reflecting on his visit, he said: “It’s been great to visit WMG HVMC Centre. It’s a unique example of a fully connected system, from academic research through to industry.

“With the High Value Manufacturing Catapult right in the middle of the Warwick campus, it’s highly attractive for industry to get all the benefits of a full network and connectivity from all types of people, expertise, and knowledge, to solve real-world challenges.”

Professor David Greenwood, CEO of WMG High Value Manufacturing Catapult, said: "It was a real pleasure to welcome Tom Adeyoola, along with many of our industry partners and Catapult colleagues. It was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the impact our research has on the UK’s manufacturing landscape, and how we’re helping businesses thrive in a competitive global market.

“Most importantly though, it was a chance to show the true value that Catapult centres, like ours, contribute to the UK’s economy and manufacturing industries."

Tom Adeyoola talking to Professor David Greenwood

Tom Adeyoola with Professor David Greenwood, CEO of WMG HVMC Centre.

Tom Adeyoola talking to a student in the Engineering Hall

Tom Adeyoola talks to a student during his tour of the Engineering Hall.

With the visit fortuitously following the release of the Industrial Strategy, this was a helpful opportunity for Professor Greenwood and Greg Clark – Executive Chair of Warwick Innovation District – to discuss the role WMG could play in supporting industrial priorities around Batteries, Steel and AgriTech, as well as Automotive and Aerospace.

The HVMC was founded to help UK manufacturers gain a competitive edge on the global stage. Comprising over 3,700 of the UK’s best scientists, engineers, and technicians, the Catapult has supported over 30,000 businesses since 2011 and helps transform over 3,000 SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) businesses a year.

Find out more about WMG’s HVMC Centre at High Value Manufacturing Catapult.