Leading Ceres’ talented product organisation to deliver best in class products for our existing and future partners.

I am currently the Programme Director for our next generation SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis) stack programme. This is a New Product Introduction Programme from concept to G6 production both at Ceres and with SOEC license manufacturing partners.

I led a substantial re-organisation of the Data, Modelling, Simulation, manufacturing Digitisation and Digitalisation teams at Ceres.My task was to change how we were organised and operated so that Ceres was setup to accelerate opportunities in the Digitalisation space like AI, Cloud Data, Digital Twins and advanced modelling.The solution I pitched and then delivered was to align a number of separate teams, all operating with different goals, objectives and roadmaps by bringing them together within a new function.This involved bringing all teams together under a new department - Modelling and Digitisation, forming a new leadership team and operating model, the communication piece to both teams affected and the business and managing the change process.

I successfully led a large cross-functional task-force team, comprised of engineers from both Ceres and a licensee partner to deliver a substantial re-design of a SOFC stack.We delivered the goal of producing a stack design suitable for high volume manufacture (250+ MW/year plant) within 6 months as well as making a substantial improvement in its performance.I managed to help engineers on the project who were close to burnout and we formed close positive relationships with our licensee partner.

I led a portfolio of programmes to deliver breakthrough technology solutions for new products and our partners.I created, maintained and owned the Advanced Engineering technology roadmap. I then chartered and ran projects funded from my R&D budget.These included new ultra-low-cost disruptive SOFC stack technologies as well as developing SOFC systems for operating with Future Fuels like Ammonia,Methanol and Hydrogen.I created the company’s Digitalisation roadmap focusing on using Cloud Technology with AI and Big Data to accelerate the commercialisation of Ceres’ technologies.I also lead the collaboration with RFC Power, who are developing a novel low-cost Redox Flow Battery.

I grew the Mechanical Engineering team from 12 to ~40 engineers from a range of disciplines including Design, CAE, Mechanical.I coached, mentored and supported many of the Engineers within the department. I am particularly proud to see many have developed into strong leaders including three who now are in Head of Department roles throughout Ceres.I helped the team develop their first multi-physics model of the cell and stack and lead a number of 8D critical issue resolution teams.I started a number of up-skilling initiatives including training the team on Intellectual property.I also helped the team deliver three new product introduction programmes and I was involved in a revision ofCeres’ NPI and Engineering processes.People say that I did well in this role because the team felt I had their back and I genuinely cared about their development and helped them deliver well on projects.

I was accountable for the technical delivery of Gas Turbine Integrated and Pumped Heat Electricity storage systems (~£15M projects). I managed a highly competent cross-functional team of engineers (mechanical, electrical, control & test), FEA analysts, project managers, machinists, external suppliers and contractors. Managed all R&D and project activities associated with delivering Isentropic Ltd’s innovative heat pump prototype.I was responsible for the majority of Isentropic Ltd’s presentational and sales literature, including the production of a video about Gas Turbine Storage. Presented Isentropic Ltd’s technology to international conferences, power Utilities, National Grid and Gas Turbine OEMs.I quoted major power projects for potential customers and used financial and technical modelling to assess potential margins and financial returns.I was Involved in Isentropic’s IP strategy and the drafting of new patents, including assessing the technical feasibility of new energy storage concepts. I gained significant technical experience designing machines and thermal stores that operate at temperature extremes (-160º C to 500º C), including material selection, bearing tribology, sealing, structures and high-performance insulation. Skilled at modelling thermodynamic power processes within energy storage scenarios, including Gas Turbine operation, Compressed Air Energy Storage and Liquid Air.

Delivered 25 successful OEM engine application projects, managing the workloads of project engineers, machinists, suppliers and training graduate team members. I overhauled Mechadyne’s engineering administrative system, writing software to integrate parts data, procurement, timesheets and project budgets.I created the software required to design the complex camshaft profiles for Mechadyne’s variable lift system, VLD. Using Matlab, calculations from first principles and complex number arithmetic, this software cut development time from weeks to hours.Experience included: Project management, project costing, manpower planning and project quotations; Concept, layout and detail design of large, complex, mechanical assemblies; Analysis for optimum stiffness, dynamic performance and durability; Build and test of prototype assemblies and test fixtures; Detail drafting and drawing checking; Solving procurement and supplier issues; Patent drafting for new applications including being a named inventor on many patents.

A key member of a small, highly skilled and experienced team, responsible for the design of complete formula one racing engines. Responsible for the design of complex assembles including the gear train, cylinder block, sump, cam covers, cylinder head and valve train. Responsible for the dynamic, structural and torsional analysis of all key critical engine mechanisms for optimum performance. Built a fully parametric torsional model of a complete formula one engine from scratch and used it to influence key directional design decisions.

FEA analysis of whole car body structures, including normal modes analysis, NVH, durability and stiffness optimisation. Worked on New Mini, Rover 75 and Land Rover projects.

Placements in FEA analysis, Crash Analysis, Assembly Plant, Customer Service, Platform Strategy, Closures.