How do you open doors to investment in manufacturing?

In his role as CEO of leading trade body Automate UK, Peter is looking to use his 25 years of experience in robotics and automation to support end users in adopting the latest in automation technology and to help raise awareness of the benefits that automation can bring to UK manufacturing. His experience comes from RARUK Automation, a company he formed in 2016 that is now a world leading supplier of collaborative robots (or cobots), and for which he is also now a non-executive director.

With 20 years of experience in factory automation, Oliver brings a wealth of industry and product knowledge of UK manufacturing and engineering to the Forum. He is passionate about strategically transforming the UK’s automation and manufacturing position on the global stage which can be seen through his customer first philosophy and drive to improve manufacturing businesses efficiency and profitability using modern technology.

Fhaheen is a senior economist at the manufacturer’s organisation Make UK. He leads research work covering a wide range of topics such as investment, taxes, infrastructure, and digital technologies to inform Government policy thinking to enable the manufacturing sector to thrive. He has previously appeared on several news outlets, such as the BBC and Sky News, to highlight the importance of manufacturing and the challenges manufacturing companies face. Fhaheen was the author of the ‘Finance: Opening doors to investment in manufacturing’ report on which this Webinar will be based.

Mike has over 40 years of experience in the application of automation to manufacturing across a broad range of industry sectors and is widely recognised as one of the leading authorities on the application of industrial robot systems in the UK. At the MTC, he is leading the drive to increase the adoption of robotics and automation in the UK. He is also a Director of the Manufacturing Technologies Association, Council member and past Chairman of the British Automation and Robot Association and has previously been Chairman of the International Federation of Robotics.

Laura was appointed as Head of Manufacturing & Construction for NatWest in August 2022. Having worked with SMEs and corporates in the Asset Finance and Banking industry for 15 years, her key responsibilities include building strong relationships with industry stakeholders, industry bodies and supporting organisations. By understanding the challenges faced by manufacturing and construction companies, her focus is centred around developing a unique proposition of financial and non-financial solutions that address these, as well as creating opportunities for businesses to achieve their goals and growth ambitions. Laura also takes a key role in developing NatWest’s sustainability strategy which looks at supporting businesses to transition to net zero and to take advantage of the many opportunities that the decarbonisation of the economy will deliver.

Troy founded BAMUK Group in 2012, an innovative holding company that acquires control positions in companies focused on manufacturing and the marketing and sale of design-driven products that can be manufactured by group companies. It brings together the strengths of each group company to create a stronger partnership. The group acquired Contracts Engineering Limited in 2012 and acquired Casshurst Coatings in 2014; a minority investment in DCMS Services in 2017; acquired Furnitubes International in 2019 and acquired Custom Coatings in 2024. His previous roles include Principal at Phion Capital, Senior Associate at JF Lehman & Co and Analyst at Bear Stearns & Co.