Scotland’s manufacturing R&D anchor bolsters leadership team with new talent

The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has announced two new leadership appointments to further strengthen its senior team as it prepares to open the group’s flagship facility, next to Glasgow International Airport, later this year.

Jacqui Murray has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer. She is the former Deputy Director of Innovate UK’s Faraday Battery Challenge and Managing Director of Britishloop. She is also the current Chair of Smart Nano NI, a large-scale investment programme into advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland; an advisor to a range of government and industry bodies and is also a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor.

Meanwhile, following a highly competitive recruitment process, internal candidate, Stephen Fitzpatrick, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, has been appointed to the newly created position, Director - NMIS Digital Factory. Stephen previously led the NMIS machining and additive research division in his role as Senior Knowledge Exchange Fellow.  

The news follows the recent appointment of Chris Courtney as Chief Executive Officer last year.

Jacqui will be responsible for directing the organisation’s ongoing business operations, leading a number of business-critical teams working across the whole Group including finance, health and safety and engineering services. She will play a vital role in driving NMIS forward into the next phase of its development.

Stephen will be leading the new NMIS Digital Factory, one of the five specialist centres within the NMIS Group. He will provide the vision and leadership to drive forward the centre in its ambition to transform the manufacturing landscape in Scotland and the wider UK through spearheading the development of innovative digital technologies applied into manufacturing processes.     

Operated by the University of Strathclyde, NMIS brings together industry, academia, innovators and the public sector to accelerate advanced manufacturing innovation, drive productivity, sustainability and prosperity across Scotland and the wider UK.

Comprising the Advanced Forming Research Centre, Lightweight Manufacturing Centre, Manufacturing Skills Academy, Digital Factory and the recently announced, Digital Process Manufacturing Centre,  the group is supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council and Renfrewshire Council. It is part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which is funded through Innovate UK.

 Chair of the NMIS Board and Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, Professor Sir Jim McDonald said:

I warmly welcome the appointments of Jacqui Murray as Chief Operating Officer and Stephen Fitzpatrick as Director of the NMIS Digital Factory.

“Both Jacqui and Stephen have an extensive background in the manufacturing and innovation sectors. The experience and knowledge they bring to these roles will be hugely beneficial for the growth of NMIS and the impact it will have in transforming the advanced manufacturing landscape in Scotland.

Speaking about the appointments, NMIS CEO, Chris Courtney, said:

I am delighted to have appointed both Jacqui and Stephen into important leadership roles within the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland team.

“We are at an important stage in the organisation’s development, and they will both play a significant role in accelerating manufacturing innovation and driving growth in the manufacturing sector in Scotland and the wider UK.

“Both Stephen and Jacqui have worked in industry and the wider innovation ecosystem with strong track records of delivering innovation across the sector. They are dynamic and collaborative leaders with a real passion for creating a positive future for manufacturing through innovation.

Jacqui Murray said:

I am immensely excited to join the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland as Chief Operating Officer in the pursuit of increasing manufacturing performance through innovation and research here in Scotland, in the UK and globally. 

"I am hugely passionate about manufacturing. It isn't just about creating items, products and components that make the world better. It's an industry that brings pride and purpose to our communities, and being part of that is a privilege.

Stephen Fitzpatrick said:

Having been part of the development of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland since its conception, I am thrilled to be taking on the role as director for the digital factory.

“In my previous roles, I’ve seen first-hand the hugely positive impact we can have on manufacturing businesses, small and large, as well as the wider economy, through working collaboratively with partners across the innovation community.

“Having spent the entirety of my career working in engineering and manufacturing in the Glasgow area, I’m excited to lead the team in accelerating the development of impactful new digital manufacturing technologies and driving forward the implementation within industry to help companies in Scotland, and the wider UK, adapt and compete globally.

NMIS’ flagship headquarters is due to open later this year. The 11,500m² facility is located in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland at Netherton Square in Renfrewshire alongside the new Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.