Gary

Qualifications

BSc Human Biology, PhD in Applied Ergonomics, Honorary Professor within the College of Science and Engineering at University of Leicester.

I am also a chartered scientist and a member of the nuclear institute. 

Knowledge and skills important to your role

Its more about having an analytical mind, and that science mindset.

Additionally, the biggest thing that I would say to people, is that its all about the people. You can be the worlds best but if you cant work in a team you wont get very far.

Project examples

The current ventures that we are working with the space programmeis very cool. Its not often when you get brand new products, lots of products are evolutions of ones already there. But what we are working on is new.

Favourite part of your job

Achieving new things! I am the head of manufacturing and innovations. So, the innovations is the big bit in the title, so I particularly have a responsibility for new ways of making things. But it’s a lot broader than that. I am one of the leaders on the space programme so breaking new ground!

Typical working week

I am accountable for all the manufacturing and research centres in the UK for my part of the business. There are 7 centres that we use, spread across the UK developing new manufacturing processes and technology – so I do a lot of travel.

Most influential/important innovations in engineering over the last 20 years

Additive manufacture is a huge thing. With addictive using powder to make things, small, medium, and large, or revolutionary. The amount of waste you remove is huge via this process.

Predictions for the future

We will become space fairing species! Our primary home will always be earth, but we will have people living off earth in other places for periods of time. I think we will clean up the earth and fix the problems we have caused.