Experience

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  CCP Gransden

  • Engineering Director

    • Jan 2022 - Present

    CCP Gransden produces advanced composite products for the aerospace, defence and automotive industries, employing a broad range of manufacturing processes for both thermosets and thermoplastics. It is my privilege to lead engineering within the company which boasts an impressive client and partner base, including companies such as Thales (UK), Jaguar Land Rover and Spirit AeroSystems.

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  Centre for Competitiveness

  • Belfast & Dublin

  • Senior Executive - Innovation & Aerospace

    • Aug 2018 - Feb 2022
    • Belfast & Dublin

    Working with companies in Northern Ireland and internationally to support them in developing their innovation strategies and plans, and also to explore business opportunities in their respective sectors.

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  Springvale Employment and Learning Solutions

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Chief Executive Officer

    • Jun 2016 - Mar 2018
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    - Responsible for the strategic direction and operations of Springvale- Oversight of the delivery of key programmes including Training for Success, Apprenticeships NI and Steps to Success- Management and development of the 70 staff employed within the organisation- Engagement with the local community, helping people to realise their educational and career aspirations

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  Colleges NI

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Science & Economic Adviser

    • Sep 2009 - May 2016
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    - Coordinating college engagement in support of Foreign Direct Investment companies and indigenous businesses- Increasing the participation of Northern Ireland’s colleges in European Union programmes- Member of MATRIX, the Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel; advising government on policy for innovation and economic growth- Member of Horizon 2020 Steering Group; advising on the Action Plan for Northern Ireland- Building college research partnerships; member of the Irish Research Managers Network- Member of Minister’s Working Groups on Food and Advanced Manufacturing; advising on skills response and appropriate funding policy to support growth

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  Department for the Economy NI and Department of Education

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Manager - NI STEM Review

    • May 2007 - Aug 2009
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    - Managed the Northern Ireland Review of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) on behalf of the Department for Employment and Learning and the Department of Education; report launched by Ministers in September 2009- Co-authored the STEM Report; the recommendations of the report have since become the basis of the Northern Ireland STEM Strategy

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  Colleges NI

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Engineering Adviser

    • Jan 2005 - Apr 2007
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    - Adviser to Northern Ireland’s colleges on curriculum, professional development and business engagement

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  Queen's University Belfast

  • Belfast, United Kingdom

  • Manager - Centre of Excellence - Integrated Aerospace Technologies

    • Jun 2003 - Dec 2004
    • Belfast, United Kingdom

    - Led development of the new university centre supported by private and public sector; total funding €6m- Successful research partnerships developed with the international aerospace community

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  Bombardier Aerospace

  • Head of Research & Development

    • Mar 1997 - May 2003

    - Led multi-disciplinary team of 60 staff; successfully developed and certified new aerospace manufacturing techniques and composite aircraft structures now in production- Managed broad portfolio of research and operations support projects with an annual budget of €4m; substantial funding won from local, national UK and EU Framework programmes- Coordinated the preparation of aerostructures bid proposals to customers, including presentations and negotiations with international customers, including Airbus, GE, Pratt & Whitney and Embraer- Representative on national and international aerospace technology committees

  • Programme Manager, New Technology

    • Mar 1991 - Feb 1997

    - Managed concept development with international partners including Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Snecma, Hurel-Dubois, Barnes Aerospace and Lucas Aerospace; patents jointly held on aerospace concepts developed- Successfully introduced new manufacturing and product technologies including the use of superplastic formed titanium as a replacement for conventional aluminium aerostructures

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  Outboard Marine Corporation

  • Chicago, USA

  • Senior Development Engineer

    • Sep 1986 - Feb 1991
    • Chicago, USA

    - Development of new engine concepts for the marine consumer market; patents held on engine concepts- Managed the development of direct injection fuel systems with the Orbital Corporation, Australia