BPF Automotive Seminar 2019 - Speakers

Ben Andrews, ELG Carbon Fibre,

After completing a degree in Mechanical Design and Manufacture at the University of Plymouth Ben went on to further his composite knowledge through a graduate scheme at Gurit (UK). Ben quickly progressed to a position in the composite processing team supporting customers with the production of large-scale composite structures and development of relevant materials. Following this, a similar position was taken in the automotive development team optimising materials and processing methods for medium to high volume production of body panels.

From 2014 to 2017, Ben worked at the UKs National Composite Centre, firstly as a Research Engineer developing automated deposition techniques before moving into a Technology Project Lead role in the automotive department. Here Ben steered and managed projects with Automotive OEMs and Tier 1s, working collaboratively with Academia and Industry to adapt and exploit Advanced composite processing techniques in high volume manufacturing environments.

More recently, Ben has been working as a Field Technical service engineer at ELG Carbon Fibre. Here his role is to support customers to select, design with and process recycled carbon fibres in composite manufacture. Additionally, the role encompasses developing solutions for closed loop systems, taking waste virgin fibre and returning it to the customer in a reformatted recycled material.

Professor David Bailey, Aston University

Professor David Bailey, an influential business expert on economic restructuring and industrial policy is perhaps best known for his knowledge of UK and West Midlands car manufacturing.

As an author, regular media commentator and newspaper columnist, he has provided articles and commentary on key economic and regional policy issues including the closure and eventual reopening of the MG Rover car plant in Birmingham, UK, and the Jaguar Land Rover economic success story.

Most recently, David has undertaken European funded research on using foreign investment to upgrade clusters and on industrial and regional policy and the rise of ‘phoenix’ industries such as the low carbon vehicles cluster here in the West Midlands. 

He has also recently worked with SQW Consulting on a project for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on developing a framework to assist Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in responding to economic ‘shocks’ and restructuring. He has twice chaired the Regional Studies Association, and has acted as a Special Advisor to the House of Commons Select Committee on the West Midlands region, presenting to a number of select committees and All Party Parliamentary Groups. He has also been a Non-Executive Director at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust from 2006-2013

John Leech, KPMG

John is a partner with over 25 years’ experience at KPMG, during which time he has advised many leading automotive manufacturers, component suppliers and retailers on strategy, M&A, performance improvement and financing . He project managed the work of the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team which advised the UK government on its automotive policy and has authored three recent reports in conjunction with the SMMT on Driverless cars, Brexit and supply chain M&A opportunities