5th Annual Digital Manufacturing Summit UK

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. By overseeing the organisation’s quantitative fieldwork and with almost daily engagements with British manufacturers, James has a close and current knowledge of the industry’s pressure points across the policy spectrum

Emile has 25+ years of commercial experience at companies from Dassault Systems and Digital River to Hybris and Productsup in various commercial leadership roles. Emile has implemented successful partnership strategies as well as new sales strategies and methodologies to scale growth at Sana. Emile is very familiar with the B2B Commerce space, understands the main business drivers of large manufacturers and how to translate that to winning commercial strategies.

Tim van Hattem has over 15 years of experience in B2B sales and is currently the Executive Vice President Global Enterprise & EMEA Sales at Sana Commerce. He has a strong track record of driving sales growth and building successful sales teams across various industries.

Darron has extensive experience in leading successful high-growth companies that specialise in security and analytics software and services. Formerly CEO of leading Information Security company Vistorm and CEO of AppSense, a global leader in the provision of management solutions for secure user environments, Darron’s experience covers many aspects of the security landscape. As CEO of Device Authority, he has overseen significant growth, new customer and partner acquisition and innovative product development that ensures KeyScaler is able to tackle the current and future security challenges faced by customers in their connected environments.

Mr. Leeder’s industry experience of industrial transformations, including Industry 4.0 has spanned over 25 years. In this period, he has been at the forefront of how new and digital technologies can be employed to increase operating margins and revenue growth. He has focused on the changes and challenges to design, manufacture, operate, and service things for a smart, connected world beyond the buzzwords and the hype.

The World Economic Forum acknowledges him as being a global expert in advanced manufacturing and digital transformation, and he has had numerous awards recognising his contribution to the industry.

He is an internationally recognised thought leader and keynote speaker. He has numerous publications and participates in several industry advisory bodies.

Mr Leeder is the founder of the award-winning Nick Leeder &Co Limited digital transformation co-pilot advisory firm and has held senior leadership positions in companies including PTC Inc, SKF AB, Dyson Limited, Konektio and Accenture. Mr. Leeder is a Chartered Engineer and holds a Batchelors of Engineering degree from Loughborough University in the UK.

Eric Cook is the Vice President of Global Solutions Consulting at Accruent, bringing almost three decades of experience in technology solutions and sales leadership. With a strong background in enterprise software and a focus on delivering value, Eric has consistently driven better business outcomes for companies all over the world. 

Throughout his career, Eric has excelled in developing a deep understanding of customer needs and translating complex technological solutions into tangible business benefits. His expertise spans various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and higher education. 

As a technologist and communicator, Eric combines his technical knowledge with strategic business acumen. He is known for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams and enable them to deliver innovative solutions that address critical business challenges in the ever-evolving digital landscape. 

He is originally from the United States but has lived and worked in the United Kingdom for the better part of a decade. 

Luca spent his early career firing rockets and optimizing space trajectories to Jupiter and Mars, before turning to the commercial side, growing businesses in materials science software first, and simulation next.

In the past ten years, he has held sales management roles of increasing seniority at the University of Cambridge software spin-out Granta Design and the simulation market leader, Ansys; before joining ToffeeX as Head of Global Sales and Business Development.

Verity is the Director of Policy at Make UK, representing and championing manufacturing in the UK and supporting businesses around the country. She leads in directing the organisation’s policy work, raising the profile of manufacturing and ensuring that the views of Make UK’s members are heard by the Government and wider policy makers. She regularly represents Make UK in the media and in Parliament, appearing before Select Committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups, as well as sitting on Government led boards and advisory groups. Verity works closely with Make UK’s membership team and leads Make UK’s National Membership Board ensuring all policy work is mandated and representative. She also oversees Make UK’s information and research work, including its annual survey programme and accompanying reports.

Andrew has spent over 30 years in manufacturing and supply chain principally in the production and supply of process aids for the oil and gas industry. Latterly he ran the supply chain through Asia Pacific and Caspian for an international chemical and service provider to the energy sector. 

During this time has led several projects in manufacturing automation, process monitoring and analytics, global data communication and ERP roll outs. He believes that when traditional cannot delivery, “It is what it is” thinking should be challenged and novel solutions sought. 

Andrew is currently helping other organisations find a way to break obstacles and drive engagement and continual improvement. He is a passionate advocate for STEM awareness and education, working with several organisations and charities as a STEM Mentor. 

Becky is a Knowledge Transfer Manager for Advanced Manufacturing at Innovate UK Business Connect. She works within the Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing team and is a delivery manager for the Made Smarter Innovation Network. Becky supports manufacturing companies of all sizes, from student ventures to SMEs and corporations, by connecting them with collaborative partners and signposting them to relevant opportunities and funding. Becky has an EngD in Materials Science and Engineering, with previous experience in the steel galvanising industry and next-generation photovoltaics research.

Clare joined the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult as Director for Strategic Engagement, Workforce and Skills in March 2024. Clare works across the network to develop the HVM Catapult’s unique workforce development offer and to realise partnership opportunities to build a high skilled manufacturing workforce in the UK. Before joining the HVM Catapult, Clare was Head of Manufacturing Policy at the Department for Business and Trade and BEIS from 2014. In this role she led manufacturing policy that included the department’s plan for manufacturing skills and was lead official on the Made Smarter Review. Clare developed the model for the successful Made Smarter adoption programme supporting manufacturing SMEs to adopt industrial digital technologies. She has held a number of other roles in the civil service including Head of Public Sector Research Establishment sponsorship and strategy at the Department for Science, Innovation and technology, and Head of Local Growth, in which she led the development of the model for local growth funding, working across departments and with Local Enterprise Partnerships

David, Director, Client Services, at Ryan, has five years experience in grant funding, supporting high-growth technology companies to secure non-dilutive funding. With a background in law and extensive experience in sales, coaching, and management, he has a proven track record of driving success in the SaaS, investment, and technology sectors. David has secured over £85 million in grants across his career; his expertise spans digital, clean-tech, medical and manufacturing industries, where he has worked with some of the UK’s most innovative founders and executives. 

Claire Muhley is a journalist-turned-marketer who specialises in digital transformation. After working at various publications, including Computer Business Review, she transitioned to marketing ten years ago, delivering award-winning work with innovative tech-based start-ups and established software companies.

At Bizagi she leads the organization’s customer advocacy and content marketing, working with global brands such as DHL, Unilever, and BAE Systems to uncover valuable insights and share their success stories that have resulted from using Bizagi’s low-code automation platform. 

Dr Hadi Moztarzadeh is an R&D and innovation specialist with over 20 years experience in both academia and industry. He is the Head to Technology Trends at APC, where he oversees the technology strategy, and a portfolio of supply chain and insight analysis as well as technology and system-level roadmaps, working closely with the Automotive Council, industry and innovation ecosystem. As part of the APC, Hadi collaborates with research and technology organisations, academia and industry, to de-risk innovation, accelerate technology transfer, and drive growth in the UK manufacturing and automotive sectors.

Prior to joining the APC, he was the Associate Dean (& Director) for Research, Innovation and Enterprise at the University of Salford, and before that, he had a 9-year career at WMG, University of Warwick and High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, most recently led the cross-Catapult portfolio.

Hadi has a PhD in Engineering from Warwick University and an MSc from University of Sheffield. He is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE), and the vice-chair of the IMechE Midland region.

Nikesh Mistry is the Sector head of Industrial Automation and Test & Measurement at GAMBICA, the Trade Association for Instrumentation, Control, Automation and Laboratory Technology in the UK.

Nikesh is a highly motivated individual who has developed an extensive understanding of both technical and commercial areas of manufacturing and automation industry.

With a robust background in Industrial Automation and developing knowledge of the Test & Measurement industry, his role at GAMBICA helps to drive innovation and efficiency across various sectors. With a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of both technical and commercial dynamics.

He has an honours degree in Electronic Engineering from The University of Birmingham and believed with the right mind-set and maximum use of innovation in the UK will excel throughout the fourth industrial revolution.

Martyn Loukes is a Change and Communications Consultant working in the Automotive Industry, and is also a Diversity and Inclusion speaker.  He is best known for work in London creating the world’s first LGBT+ transport related public awareness campaign ‘Ride with Pride’.

His Change Management career started in 2007 while at Transport for London. There he spent most of his focus on improving the overall communications within the organisation, and to customers while working as a Change and Communications Business Manager for the Managing Director of Communications, Marketing and Technology.

After leaving TfL in 2017 he worked as an independent consultant in several different industries before ending up at the largest Automotive Safety Industry based in Stockholm, Sweden. He works remotely from his home in Brighton, East Sussex.

His creative approach to communications has seen many innovations, including using AI to replace lengthy FAQs, digitalisation queries and error code resolution. This saw a huge drop in simple support queries and increased productivity for a multi-million Euro Finance Transformation Project. This was the first use of AI in this company’s 80-year history working collaboratively with the Innovations Team and Information Technology Teams.

He regularly speaks at conferences and to companies about the importance of Mainstreaming LGBT+ Diversity, and received a medal for his work from the late Queen in her 2015 Birthday Honours.

This year has seen him continuing his far-reaching influence on mainstreaming LGBT+ inclusion by contributing to Waltham Forest’s Material Witness exhibition, speaking at Auckland’s Women in STEM conference in Auckland (ICESW19) and to New Zealand’s Diversity Agenda organization.

Among his well-known campaigns are the 48 LGBT+ Traffic Lights in Trafalgar Square, the world’s first rainbow bus, train and taxi and delivered in one joined up outwardly focused communications campaign. This changed the diversity landscape for many other cities that followed London’s example.

Michael Larner, Research Director, is part of ABI Research’s End Markets team tracking the development and adoption of emerging technologies within the context of smart manufacturing and industrial solutions. Michael’s research focuses on manufacturing technologies, such as product life cycle management and simulation software, plus the adoption of data analytics, robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and connectivity technologies on the factory floor and by industrial firms. 

Prior to joining ABI Research, Michael was an independent market analyst and delivered reports and consulting projects on behalf of GlobalData, IDC, IHS Markit, Informa, Juniper Research, Machina Research, and Ovum, among others. During this time, he led various research projects providing custom and omnibus online surveys, working alongside management teams to deliver quantifiable insights into adoption rates, addressable markets, and sales enablement 

Michael has covered numerous vertical markets, including automotive, healthcare, media, public sector, smart cities, and technologies, such as Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), chatbots, cybersecurity, Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI), mobile app development platforms, and robotics. 

Sivanathan is the Head of Digital Technologies at the AMRC and leads advanced industrial connectivity research. He holds an MSc in Mechatronics Engineering from King’s College London and a PhD from Heriot-Watt University. He has secured prestigious research grants from DSIT, DCMS, HVMC, Innovate UK, and EPSRC, and has conducted commercial R&D for major industrial players such as BAE Systems Air, BAE Systems Weapons & Munitions, Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing, AWE, and several SMEs.

In 2023, Sivanathan was appointed Chair of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) Manufacturing Working Group.

His research interests include advanced connectivity solutions for manufacturing, 5G/6G, ultra-low latency closed-loop control, real-time systems, manufacturing informatics, cybersecurity, knowledge capture, supply chain network analytics, and Industry 4.0.

Dr Susan Lattanzio is the Deputy Director of the Made Smarter Innovation: Centre for People-Led Digitalisation (PLD). The PLD is part of the £300 million Made Smarter programme, which aims to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies in the manufacturing sector. The Centre specifically focuses on the role of people and culture, and how these both influence and are influenced by the adoption of digital technologies. 

Claire is a Technology Adoption Specialist with Made Smarter in the North West. She has played an important part in the growth of the Made Smarter Adoption Programme, since its launch in 2018 which she guides manufacturing SMEs through adopting industrial digital technologies to elevate their business practices. With an early career in the aerospace sector at GKN Aerospace and a keen focus on additive manufacturing she shares her expertise and experience with SMEs. 

Claire believes that technology is an important tool for manufacturers but without having the right skills and culture in place, the benefit of technology cannot be truly realised. 

William Sachiti is the founder and CEO of Academy of Robotics, an autonomous technology company that is primarily known for developing street-legal self-driving vehicles and solutions for road maintenance.

London born, Suffolk and Oxford educated, now living in the South East, Emma is currently a Vice President in DHL Supply Chain leading a team of 60 Solutions Design Engineers. DHL Supply Chain is part of the DHL Group which operates in more than 220 countries and with nearly 400,000 employees. DHL Supply Chain provides specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail. The Solutions Design function which Emma leads, creates and costs concept designs for new build warehouses and existing facilities from fully automated to robotic assisted and manual operations.

Emma has strong logistics and supply chain credentials having held leadership positions in IT, Strategy design, Operations and Planning across both Third Party Logistics providers and Retailers in-house operations. In addition to her main role, Emma is also a Director for DHL Trustees Ltd.

Halil Bedevi is the UK Head of Advanced Manufacturing Sectors at Santander UK plc. He is responsible for leading and directing Santander’s manufacturing sector strategy and proposition in driving growth across eight key manufacturing sub-sectors. Halil engages with Santander’s external sector ecosystem, including solution providers, helping manufacturers to grow and prosper. He also works with front line relationship colleagues to add value to customers by identifying and facilitating opportunities, both domestic and international. Halil is a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the manufacturing industry ranging from engineering and consulting to board level senior management roles. He is also a Visiting Fellow and Advisory Board Member at Cranfield University and a Fellow of the IET. 

Halil is a manufacturing activist and campaigner, a LinkedIn creator, thought leader and a super-connector. He is a regular speaker and panellist at industry events and sits on several trade body groups, driving the mission to help manufacturers succeed and trade internationally. He is also a volunteer to support young people skills & careers and helps to improve the profile and image of engineering and manufacturing. Halil has contributed to several consultations including The Bank of England, the Government, and Industry. He is part of the team who has created a unique digital international trade facilitation platform and won the ‘Best International Solutions Provider’ award in 2023 and 2024. 

With 36 years of experience in Industrial Distribution, working with some of the most well know companies in the UK Europe and the US. An innovative business Director who achieves results with objectively constructed strategies across a multi-site business, A builder and leader of teams who achieves results by motivating and inspiring staff with a ‘Make something happen’ approach to business. 

Jon Williams, Senior Director, Grants, at Ryan, has 25 years of senior commercial and financial management experience, including eight years in senior commercial roles at prominent UK biotechnology, medtech, and advanced manufacturing companies. He has helped several hundred innovative businesses, from a variety of sectors, identify and secure substantive funding awards. In his spare time, Jon enjoys mountain biking and is a keen tennis player.

Vikki has 28 years’ experience in process automation and during that time has worked for leading edge, global software organisations. Vikki has maintained senior and executive positions and has utilised her experience to be part of three successful IPO’s. Vikki has supported many large-scale digital transformation programmes enabling customers to significantly reduce operational costs, increase efficiency, bridge the integration gaps, whilst remaining agile in what is a forever changing world.

Steve has over 30 years of experience in Manufacturing Facilities, predominately Automotive having been involved in over 40 vehicle launches across multiple Tier 1 Automotive companies (BMW, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover).

Started his career as an engineering apprentice, progressing within in various maintenance roles through to a senior manager within Manufacturing Engineering. With a passion for technology, he is now currently a Chief Engineer within Digital Engineering at the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

With over seven years of experience in engineering and product management, Assen Batchavarov is dedicated to solving complex challenges, optimising processes, and delivering tangible customer value. His background in chemical engineering, strengthened by a PhD from Imperial College London focused on modelling complex physical systems, is further enhanced by hands-on experience in the energy sector with companies like BP. This foundation enables Assen to approach large-scale industrial challenges with a comprehensive perspective.

As a product manager at Quaisr, Assen stays closely engaged with customers, helping them unlock value from the digital connectivity of complex manufacturing systems that involve data, simulations, and models. My role centres on scaling these connected systems across larger enterprise environments, empowering teams and democratising access to advanced insights. 

Nina Gryf, as a Senior Policy Manager at Make UK, leads the Unlocking Innovation campaign, emphasising the essential role of innovation and technology in enhancing productivity and competitiveness. Her leadership is evident in crafting Make UK’s Innovation Monitor, monitoring manufacturers’ digital adoption progress. Nina is a vocal advocate for accelerating digital adoption among manufacturers and policymakers, stressing the importance of governmental support for skill development and financial access for Industrial Digital Technologies.

She passionately champions initiatives like Made Smarter and consistently advocates for its expansion. Noteworthy publications by Nina include “4IR: An Enabler to Green Manufacturing,” focusing on digital tech’s role in achieving industry net-zero goals, “Digital Adoption: The Missing Link to Productivity Growth” and manufacturing our recovery through Inclusion”. Prior to her role in policy, Nina directed efforts on post-EU referendum campaigning, focusing on trade, and before joining Make UK she worked as an External Affairs Manager at the Work Foundation.