Andy Silcox has been appointed as the new interim chief technology officer (CTO) for the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Andy, who previously held the role of AMRC Cymru research director, started his new position on Monday (March 10) and will be responsible for setting the research direction, and implementing the strategic research and technology vision to ensure that the AMRC remains at the forefront of driving innovation into industry. 

It follows Professor Ben Morgan, former AMRC research director and chief technology officer, becoming the new interim chief executive officer in January.

Ben welcomed the appointment of Andy, who has been a senior figure in the AMRC family for more than five years. 

Ben said: “I am really looking forward to working with Andy more closely, particularly with the AMRC’s exciting work in nuclear manufacturing and across national security, ensuring the AMRC continues to be at the forefront of world-leading research and industrial innovation..

“Andy has a proven track record of working in the innovation space across the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult network and industry.

“He has played a pivotal role in the success of AMRC Cymru by co-creating the centre in Broughton, North Wales, overseeing its immediate transition into a production base for life saving ventilators during the Covid-19 pandemic, through to its work de-risking technology and supporting Welsh businesses on their digital and sustainable manufacturing journeys.”

Andy is thrilled to take up the new role and is excited for what lays ahead. He said: “I personally believe it is a time of unparalleled opportunity for the UK manufacturing sector, with the transition to clean energy and the development of nuclear, hydrogen wind and tidal solutions, the exploitation of artificial intelligence throughout the product life cycle, and the need to significantly grow the UK’s adoption of intelligent and dexterous robotic solutions.

“My aim is to ensure that the AMRC is fit to be able to help UK manufacturers exploit these opportunities, maintaining our position as the go-to place for industrial research.

“The past five years as research director of AMRC Cymru have been easily the most rewarding of my career and it is my intention to continue to work side-by-side with the team in Broughton and Baglan with AMRC Cymru’s future growth.

“The formidable reputation my predecessors have built for the AMRC over the last 20 years, as the number one institution for manufacturing research quality and integrity, means that it will certainly be a challenge for me to step into those shoes, but it is a challenge I am up for.”

Andy has worked in manufacturing research since 2003, firstly with KUKA Systems, and from 2011 to 2018 as a chief engineer with the Manufacturing Technology Centre, which is also a member of the HVM Catapult. Since 2019, Andy held his director role at AMRC Cymru, responsible for the overall strategy of the centre and the technical delivery of its diverse project portfolio.

He is also the AMRC representative on the HVM Catapult offshore wind strategy team, and will retain this position, as well as his position representing AMRC Cymru on the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone’s shadow board.