The MTC is a new world-class facility and unique collaboration between academia, research organisations and industry tol bridge the gap between knowledge and cutting edge, competitive manufacturing production.
A combined capital contribution of £40 million from AWM and emda - one of the largest public sector investments in manufacturing for many years - provided the catalyst to drive forward the construction of the centre and the funding to help run it in the medium term.
A veteran of the Midlands car industry and former managing director of Ricardo, Dr Hickman is currently head of engineering at Tata Motors, heading up Tata's Warwick University-based European technical centre.
Former Chair of the British Automation and Robot Association (for ten years), Dr Ken Young is Director of Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre where he has been based for the past 20 years. He takes up his new role at the MTC in January 2011.
Alex Stephenson CBE, first chairman of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and current Pro Chancellor at Birmingham City University, will also be on board as a non executive director of the MTC.Alex Stephenson has more than 40 years experience in manufacturing and design having held executive posts at Perkins Engines, BMW / Rover and, most recently, Alstom Transport as Engineering and Safety Director.
The three experts join Terry Morgan CBE, Chair of Crossrail, who was recently appointed as new Chairman of the MTC following verification by Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport.
Welcoming their new appointments, Clive Hickman said: "Great Britain needs a strong manufacturing base to remain competitive internationally. The MTC has the potential to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage for UK based manufacturing companies. The challenge is irresistible."
Ken Young said: "The MTC is crucial to the future prosperity of the UK. Manufacturers need to be at the forefront of production technology in order to have a competitive advantage and maintain their ability to create wealth in the UK. Access to facilities like the MTC is vital to support industry in developing their manufacturing processes and creating world class capability."
Once completed, the MTC will be a world-class centre of excellence, operated by some of the UK's leading manufacturing companies and universities, helping to ensure that the UK stays at the forefront of technology and innovation, and providing manufacturing businesses with a vital, competitive edge.
Clive Hickman has been leading the Tata team developing its revolutionary Nano car.
Ken Young has a BSc in mechanical engineering from Nottingham University and a PhD in computer aided design and manufacture of filament wound composites from Nottingham University. The software developed remains available as a commercial system and is used extensively.
Ken spent five years at BYG systems developing a robotic simulation and offline programming system, also using the system for consultancy work in aerospace, automotive, mining and yellow goods industries. He spent one year as a software engineer at delcam, writing cutter path generation software for 3 and 5 axis milling. Ken remains a council member of the British Automation and Robot Association.
