Smart Manufacturing Summit 2023

Neil is a globally experienced, ‘first-principles’ Engineer and currently operates as Rolls-Royce’s company Fellow in Digital Manufacturing Systems within the corporate Chief Technology Office, where he takes full cross-sector business accountability for the setting of strategy in this technology domain.

Neil started with Rolls-Royce as an Apprentice in 1984, having now held numerous technology and operational roles prior to formal recognition of his specialism in Digital Manufacturing. During his career Neil’s genuine passion in this sphere of technology has led Rolls-Royce through sustainable levels of global transformational change in Manufacturing, whilst continuing to navigate the company’s own journey to Industry 4.0. This has involved many fortunate opportunities to design and launch international programmes both in Singapore and the US; and also take a leading role in the development of R-R’s interests in global AxRC’s (incl. HVMC).

Linda is a Professor of Cost Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath. She leads the ‘Made Smarter Innovation: People-Led Digitilisation’ Centre, and grants such as Designing the Future: Resilient Transdisciplinary Design Engineers and Responsive Manufacturing: Maximising Value Through Life.  Knowledge, information and management is at the heart of her work which is industry focused aiming for world leading manufacturing.   She is on the EPSRC Manufacturing the Future, Circular Economy, Strategic Advisory Team, is President of the Society of Transdisciplinary Engineering, and a committee member of the Society of Cost Analysis and  Forecasting.  In 2021 she was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Research Medal for her sustained contribution and impact, and was awarded an Honorary CPCostE Accreditation by the Association of Cost Engineers in 2022. 

Philippa is a member of OMRON's senior leadership team in the UK and Ireland responsible for strategically driving Omron’s Industry Commercial Teams.  Before this, she was the Managing Director of a small robotic integration business based in the Northwest. Philippa is passionate about working closely with the broader manufacturing community to address critical challenges that will shape our future. She is a Made Smarter Commissioner and a passionate advocate for the sector sitting on several regional and national industry boards including Liverpool City Regions Innovation Board, Make UK and Innovate UK.