Dr David Baglee is a Reader in Advanced Maintenance at the University of Sunderland. David is a Visiting Professor of Operations and Maintenance at the University of Lulea, Sweden and a Visiting Research Professor at the University of Maryland USA. David’s research interests include advanced maintenance management strategies, condition-monitoring technologies and advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies to support maintenance strategy development; this includes Big Data systems, Industry 4 and the use of Virtual Reality to design new manufacturing systems. David has over 110 conference and international journal publications, 15 invited and keynote presentations and 4 book chapters. David has worked on a number of local, national and international projects.

As part of the team that has introduced the new-look Manufacturing Management, Chris is keen to position the magazine as a leading voice for UK manufacturing, championing the best industry has to offer. He brings several years of experience in a number of sectors, including manufacturing, security and housing.

Paul has a tremendous track record in transforming the performance of a wide variety of organisations both as a consultant and director. He started Manufacturing Excellence in 2000 which combines training and consultancy to help organisations drive and embed a culture of continuous improvement. Manufacturing Excellence has been phenomenally successful having saved their clients hundreds of millions of pounds with four also going on to win the UK Best Factory Award.

Matt is the Site Director for the Systagenix AWT Manufacturing facility, has P&L responsibility and accountability for flawless delivery of the build plan. Matt has over 20 years of experience in the Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical industries across R&D, Validation, Quality Management and Manufacturing Operations. His responsibility currently spans in-house Manufacturing and Sterilisation, Maintenance, Health, Safety and the Environment, Occupational Health and Contract Manufacturing (CMO). Matt has also led a cultural programme to drive organisational agility and responsiveness. Prior to the integration into Acelity and his current role in 2014, Matt's previous industrial experience includes Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson Wound Management and GlaxoSmithKline. Matt has a BSc honours degree in Chemistry from the University of Central Lancashire and an MBA from Hull University, U.K. and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Greenbelt.

Jon’s role at BAE Systems’ Samlesbury site, near Preston, is to ensure the on-time delivery of the aft, vertical and horizontal tails of the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The site is challenged with producing one aircraft per day in two years’ time – in effect, halving the cost and quadrupling the rate of production.

Charles is responsible for the engagement, development and growth of EEF’s membership base. He leads EEF’s membership team across our regional network delivering a wide range of expertise from policy and representation to business support, helping manufacturers to compete, innovate and grow. Charles joined EEF from Santander where as head of Manufacturing, he played a key part in formulating Santander’s Manufacturing sector strategy substantially growing Santander’s exposure and profile. Prior to this he ran a pan-European SME business. He has also held a successful career in asset consultancy where he advised manufacturers and financial institutions across Europe and the Nordics on asset value, management and sales.

Emma has been at Analox since 2006, and is in charge of the management of all operational functions and staff including manufacturing, purchasing, stock and repairs. Under Emma’s tenure, Analox has won Best Factory Awards for operational excellence. Analox specialise in the manufacture of a range of gas detection solutions.

Jeff is local to Ashington and currently lives just a few miles north of Ashington, next to Druridge Bay. Jeff joined AkzoNobel in January 2013 and was appointed as Head of Manufacturing for the Ashington site, taking the opportunity to build a brand new site from bottom up; new technology, new processes, new people and the opportunity to be part of building a unique, inspiring and colourful community. In parallel to this, he was also the Site Manager for the Hammerite site in Prudhoe until early 2014. Before joining AkzoNobel, Jeff was a Plant Manager for Rio Tinto Alcan at the Aluminium Smelter in Lynemouth, Northumberland where he worked for twelve years. Prior to that, Jeff was a Navigator on marine exploration vessels for six years.

Chris King is an Operations Manager at Praxair Surface Technologies Ltd. Chris began working in the manufacturing sector in 2006 as an apprentice, undertaking an advanced apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacture Engineering, Chris then progressed down the leadership route gaining his BA Hons in Business Management and Communications at Oxford Brookes University. Chris has a strong knowledge of lean manufacturing and has enjoyed success on numerous projects notably winning the Manufacturing Champions Team Award with Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) in 2016, through his career so far Chris has developed a strong track record of delivering performance and enhancing employee engagement through the strategic development of processes and people. His passion for lean manufacturing and the principles within the Toyota Production System, along with his drive to create a continuous improvement culture within the business has helped improve efficiencies, aid employee development and ultimately increase business growth.

Rob manages the award-winning Portsmouth site of City Technology, which was crowned BFA Factory of the Year in 2014. He joined City Technology in 1993 and has held numerous roles since. He started his career with Portsmouth Aviation as an apprentice in the 1980s.

Adam has shown an affinity with all things industry, having worked on the editorial teams of Manufacturing Management and Machinery magazines, and more recently Plant Engineer magazine. He’s a major supporter of schemes that look to encourage young people into industry, and has led school visits to factory sites in an attempt to inspire the next generation. He is also a keen supporter of the environment and likes to champion those doing their bit to save energy and protect the planet.