In the build up to the end of 2020 The Manufacturer and KTN have teamed up to bring you profiles of 30 Inspiring Women in Manufacturing.
June 23 each year is designated as International Women in Engineering Day. This day is set aside to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus attention on the amazing career opportunities available to females in this exciting industry. It celebrates the outstanding achievements of women engineers throughout the world.
As we highlighted in the first part of this series NOMIS data shows approximately 24-25% female representation in manufacturing. 8% of professional Engineers are females, yet, 14% of first degrees in Engineering are awarded to females.
One day a year is not enough to highlight this issue and we can do more as an industry to ensure this remains a constant on the agenda for positive change within our sector. At The Manufacturer we are committed to this and will strive towards meaningful representation of the women in our industry.
We hope you have found this series in association with KTN inspiring and we look forward to working with our partners to do even more in 2021.
Coreen McCubbin, Senior Aerospace Consultant, Leading Edge Consulting
“I often hear female engineers talk about how they need to change to fit in better and be stronger. Your strength is in your existing personality, capability and skills please believe in yourself and stay true to your moral compass. Diversity is key to innovation and you are one of the guardians for the next generation to hear their voices and allow them to become a truly diverse and equal workforce.”
Coreen McCubbin a Senior Aerospace Consultant with Leading Edge Strategy Consulting Ltd. has over 20 year’s industry experience 13 of which are at the cutting edge of Research and Development in the aviation sector with Spirit Aerosystems. Coreen has delivered through collaborative funding and pioneering technology strategic growth recognised by the First Minister of Scotland visiting sites to announce government support for composite production manufacturing and increased composite innovation footprint securing Scotland within the ecosystem developing world class composite manufacturing in the UK. Coreen is now consulting for multiple clients in the aerospace sector and embarking on a new manufacturing start-up venture. Coreen has a balanced career and family life with two teenage daughters now looking to start their journey on chosen career paths.
Suzanne Farid, Professor of Bioprocess Systems Engineering, University College London
“In academia, we meet many students and colleagues who strive for excellence and build up great accomplishments and so it can be surprising to discover that behind this success many of us let imposter syndrome rear its head occasionally to downplay our achievements. It helps to notice our mindset and reframe subconscious limiting beliefs that hold us back from achieving our full potential. We all have the capacity to reach new heights and can inspire others along the way while contributing positively to our diverse society”.
Suzanne Farid is Professor of Bioprocess Systems Engineering at the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at University College London (UCL) and Deputy Head of Department (Education). She is Co-Director of the Future Targeted Healthcare Manufacturing Hub in collaboration with industrial and academic consortia to revolutionise the delivery of cost-effective stratified protein-based and personalised cell-based therapies to patients. She is also Director of the UCL-AstraZeneca Centre of Excellence. She leads research on ‘Decisional Tools’ to facilitate cost- effective bioprocess design, capacity planning, R&D portfolio management, root cause analysis and manufacturability assessments for biopharmaceuticals ranging from monoclonal antibodies to cell and gene therapies. She sits on the UK BioIndustry Association Manufacturing Advisory Committee, ISCT Business Models and Investment Sub Committee and is a Fellow of the IChemE. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemical Engineering from UCL.
Phillipa Glover, Managing Director, CNC Robotics
“Like many people working in manufacturing, I don’t just work in this sector because I have to; I work in this sector because I am insanely passionate about manufacturing. Whether you are working as an operator on the shop floor, leading a team of engineers or running a business, you must do what you love. Have courage, speak with conviction and most importantly, always be you. Surround yourself with individuals who continue to empower, inspire and encourage you to grow. Never stop learning.”
Philippa is the Managing Director of CNC Robotics Ltd, a leading robotic integration company based in the Liverpool City Region. She started her career studying a Masters in Chemistry with a year in industry at the University of Sheffield and has worked in manufacturing ever since. Philippa is responsible for the strategic development of the business and its people. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, and sits on several advisory boards including MAKE UK Regional Advisory Board and the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund Manufacturing Made Smarter Advisory Board. In 2019 Philippa featured in Insiders 42 under 42 NW list celebrating the strength of the region’s brightest business talent who will form the next generation of successful business leaders and business owners. She is passionate about working closely with the broader manufacturing community to address critical challenges that will shape our future.
Steph Locke, CEO, Nightingale HQ
“The need for change is very clear to manufacturers but change is hard due to a relatively low digital savviness inside manufacturers and how new AI is. Overcoming this skills gap, if you have it, helps you boost your own productivity, foster a culture of innovation, and steer strategy. Digital & AI solutions have never been easier to access and there is so much support out there to help gain these critical skills. Investing in AI tools and skills will help you and your business.”
Nightingale HQ – helping manufacturers to innovate through AI – Steph is an AI Expert, Data Scientist turned Entrepreneur who is passionate about helping businesses use their data more effectively and adopting AI. After running her own data consultancy successfully for several years, she wanted to scale this impact so she co-founded Nightingale HQ. At Nightingale HQ they are developing a ‘Trusted Marketplace for AI tools and services where manufacturers can access expertise and quickly improve critical areas like the supply chain, ops management, inventory, and downtime with the help of AI. Steph has also written two books on data science and is one of four people in the world who is a Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) in Data Platform and AI technologies. She has recently been selected to join the European Commission’s SME Focus Group on AI and will help shape policy and inform how AI is a key driver of digital transformation.
Julia Moore, CEO, GTMA (Gauge Toolmakers Association)
“To take your team with you on the journey and not to allow anyone to divert your focus”
I have enjoyed a career which has provided me with an opportunity to grow personally and reach my potential, through common sense, enthusiasm, and determination. I have experienced difficult challenges but by retaining focus the end results have been so rewarding. The opportunity to lead on new challenges and to map out a strategy, has meant new boundaries along the way. But from my first Trade Mission to New Zealand followed by others to Malaysia and Brazil to joining the GTMA over 20 years ago as CEO it has been extremely exciting and diverse. The early years of 2000 involved GTMA working on Six European Research & Development engineering and developing a Supply Chain strategy. Today the GTMA has a strong technical focus, digital marketing programme and a collaborative supply chain platform lto promote to manufacturers the engineering skills available through Reshoring.UK.
Read part one, part two , part three and part four here