Andrew Esson acquired Quick Hydraulics through a Management Buy- In in September 2011, after 27 years working for global engineering corporations Weir Group, Rolls-Royce and latterly Continental AG. A graduate mechanical engineer, Andrew joined Weir’s as a graduate trainee in 1984, working his way up the management ladder to director level, before moving to Rolls-Royce in 2002. Andrew joined ContiTech Beattie Limited as managing director in 2004 and led the company through a complete business transformation, enabling 75% growth in business turnover.

Under Andrew’s leadership, ContiTech Beattie achieved a variety of business accolades, including Investors in People Champion status, triple success at the Institution of Mechanical Engineer’s Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards, (2008: Business Development & Change Management, 2009: Financial Managment, 2010 People Effectiveness), and a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

Brian Chapman is currently the HR Business Partner for the Integrated Supply Chain in UK and Ireland for the Decorative Paints Division of AkzoNobel. Originally training as a musician, Brian then worked in both the Public and the Private Sector in Marketing prior to working within Human Resources. Within the HR field, Brian has held positions in Manufacturing and Retail as well as HR Service Delivery both in the UK and in Europe. As part of his current role, Brian is responsible for overseeing the cultural setup of AkzoNobel’s newly planned site in the North East, due to open in 2015.

Jo has worked for Jaguar Land Rover for over 23 years having joined the then Rover Group (including Land Rover) as a graduate. Jo worked for 16 years within Research and Development in different Engineering roles.

Since the end of 2006, Jo has been in role of Head of Technical Excellence for Jaguar Land Rover. He has responsibility for the development and nurturing of engineering skills and competencies within the company and exploiting links with Universities, professional institutions and other engineering organisations. This includes developing the skills supporting the company’s advanced low-carbon vehicle development, through leading a multi-university masters level modular degree programme. As well as ensuring that new engineering graduates and higher apprentices, are given the necessary skills to support future growth.

He leads on promoting engineering to young people though direct involvement with activities such as “The Big Bang Fair” and other initiatives which seek to raise the profile of the advanced engineering sector to the public and government at large.

Jo represents Jaguar Land Rover Limited and the automotive industry at cross-sector working groups, including the skills focused groups of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), CBI and professional engineering organisations and institutions.  Jo also chairs the Automotive Sector Strategy Group of the sector skills council, SEMTA.

Jo is a Chartered Engineer, has a Master of Philosophy in Applied Physics and is a member of the Institution of Engineering & Technology.

Lynn Tomkins, UK Operations Director for Semta one of the largest Sector Skills Councils, representing 130,000 companies in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering sector. Lynn leads on the strategic and direct engagement with employers, stakeholders, UK Governments and partners.

Lynn is passionate about helping employers recruit graduates, apprentices and up skilling their workforce. Lynn is a founder member and director of the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) which is a collaboration between industry, universities and the public sector. Lynn is also on the board of the EDT – largest provider of STEM enrichment activities for UK youth.

After being sponsored by GEC Alsthom for his Masters in Engineering and Management Mike went on to run a design and manufacturing team working on propulsion projects including the West Coast Mainline, Channel Tunnel and Northern Line. He moved to Philips Components and went from low volume high value to high volume low value and ultimately became Head of Manufacturing. He worked at MoD supplier Astrum for six years as Operations Director before moving to Tharsus in 2012.

Following a technical apprenticeship to HND level, Neil spent his early career as a Designer of automated assembly machinery before moving into Technical Sales, Key Accounts, Sales Management and Project Management. Despite this strong technical background he has a strong belief that the true strength of any manufacturing company lies in it’s people and not solely in it’s technical solutions and he now works as a Consultant for Festo supporting clients with the design and implementation of learning and development initiatives and assisting them in building secure and profitable enterprises.

As a STEM Ambassador Neil also supports Festo’s outreach activities aiming to promote engineering as a career option in Schools, Colleges and Universities and position the subject favorably in the wider media through the use of Festo’s Bionic creatures.

Paul has worked for The Authentic Food Company for almost 6 years.  He first joined as Technical Controller and within 12 months was promoted to Operation’s Director.

Paul has had 26 years of pharmaceutical / food industry experience in technical and operational management roles, this includes time as Head of Technical & Operations at  Remploy, a particularly satisfying role with the companies mission ‘to transform the lives of disabled people and those who experience complex barriers to work by providing sustainable employment opportunities’.  Prior to this Paul’s career has included Technical Director at Lyndale Foods Ltd, Manufacturing and Technical Manager at Princess Foods and Chemical Analyst for Smith Klein Beecham.

He has studied Microbiology, Food Safety Systems, Health & Safety and Lean Manufacturing but has a real passion for people development.  Which, here at TAFC Paul is responsible for 195 staff covering Manufacturing, Engineering, Project Management, Planning, Technical, Process Technology, Health, Safety & Environmental and Distribution & Warehousing Departments; his teams produce in excess of 30 million meals per year.

Paul believes very strongly in people development – “I like to see individuals and teams win. I thrive on the success of making a poor performer good and the good performer great.  I am pleased to say I have seen this in every single department and discipline within The Authentic Food Company and intend to be part of its continued progression for many years to come.”

Richard is responsible for BAE Systems early career (apprentice and graduate) strategy and, as part of this, for links with schools, colleges and universities. He coordinates BAE Systems’ education programme and it’s school’s roadshow, which will this year – in partnership with the Royal Air Force – engage over 25,000 young people. Richard has a responsibility for skills policy and helped draft the company’s Skills 2020 Strategy, which is designed to help meet future skills requirements.

Prior to working for BAE Systems, Richard was Head of Education at BT where he also held a number of other HR roles.

Simon is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, (CIPD) actively involved in the Institute’s “Steps Ahead” mentoring programme with young unemployed people, and is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) Ambassador promoting engineering careers to school students.

Simon is now leading Caterpillar’s future talent strategy which seeks to provide an increased understanding of STEM related careers. With focus on those available within Caterpillar, to increase the number of young people working towards appropriate qualifications and so providing the company with a sustainable pipeline of talent.

Stuart is responsible for the production of malted ingredients at Muntons that are used in a wide range of food, milling, baking and brewing applications. Underpinning this role is the use of low and reduced carbon production techniques and systems designed to reduce the impact on the environment, reduce the carbon footprint of each product and also to save money. Muntons was awarded the Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year award in 2011. Prior to this role, Stuart was a Brewer based in the Netherlands and New Zealand and has worked in many Asian breweries with the main focus being on process consistency, process improvement and cost reduction. During this time, several of these breweries won international awards for product quality and consistency.

During his time as a MP, he held Ministerial positions that included being first Minister for Information Technology, introducing computers into schools; Local Government Minister; Environment Secretary; Education & Science Secretary, introducing the National Curriculum, Grant Maintained Schools, City Technology Colleges, and Student Loans; and Home Secretary. Left the Government after the 1992 election, was appointed a Companion of Honour, and became a member of the House of Lords in 1997. Through the Baker Dearing Educational Trust Lord Baker is spearheading the initiative for University Technical Colleges – 33 have been approved and five are already open.