September Appointments

Jeff Kennelly, GE Aviation

GE Aviation has appointed Jeff Kennelly as Plant Leader at the company’s Newmarket site. In his new role, Kennelly will oversee safety, quality, delivery targets and the implementation of a long term growth plan to take the business to the next level.

Mr Kennelly spent the first 16 years of his career as an aircraft engineer, working at the GE Aviation Wales facility in Nantgarw, South Wales and On-Wing support in London, before making the transition into management in 2006. He spent time in the company’s quality division and operations before joining the leadership team in 2011.

On his appointment, Mr Kennelly said: “I am extremely proud to be joining such a focused and technically strong team and I am very excited about the opportunities that lay ahead to grow the business”.

Ian Collier, High Value Manufacturing Catapult

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which is focused on bringing new technologies to market through development of innovative manufacturing processes, has appointed industry veteran Ian Collier to its management team as director of operations.

Mr Collier, who has previously worked for Rolls-Royce and the Williams F1 team, will be responsible for the operational model for the HVM Catapult, and will lead a number of substantive HVM Catapult business programmes covering such areas as skills and e-infrastructure.

Dick Elsy CEO of the HVM Catapult, said: “I am delighted to welcome Ian to our management team as Director of Operations. His wealth of manufacturing industry experience in both large companies and specialist SME’s provides us with real bench strength in the core team. His industry driven, pragmatic approach will provide strong delivery focus to our activities.”

Matthew Snelson, Grainger & Worrall

Casting provider company Grainger & Worrall has appointed Matthew Snelson as its new executive quality manager as it looks to drive forward its ambitions in the automotive, motorsport, defence and aerospace sectors.

Mr Snelson has held a number of senior international posts in the vehicle manufacturer and tier one automotive industry. In his new role, he will focus on product, process and system robustness, building on Grainger & Worrall’s class-leading performance, which saw it win a second Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2012.

Company director Matthew Grainger said: “Matthew will help to build on our reputation as industry leaders in innovation and manufacturing, by focusing on our commitment to continued efficiency and creativity in how we deliver bespoke casting solutions in the future.

Chris Brownridge, MINI UK

Chris Brownridge was appointed as the new director for MINI UK, succeeding Jochen Goller, who will take up the role of senior vice president, overseeing all worldwide activities for MINI.

Mr Brownridge, who will take up the role from November, is currently BMW UK’s marketing director, a post he has held since January 2012. He joined the BMW Group in 2000.

Tim Abbott, managing director of BMW Group UK, said: “Chris’s breadth of experience across the company has proved to be a great asset in his current role and will be even more valuable in his new position as the MINI brand portfolio continues to develop.”

Jane Dumeresque, AFC Energy

AFC Energy, the fuel cell energy developer for industry, has appointed Jane Dumeresque as its finance director and company secretary.

Mrs Dumeresque brings more than a decade of board level experience in public and private companies, as well as capital markets, to the Company. She is a qualified chartered accountant and a MBA from the London Business School.

Tim Yeo, AFC Energy chairman, said: “Jane’s wealth of experience in the City and the corporate sector will further strengthen our credibility with customers and investors as our commercialisation phase gains momentum.”