MTC appoints new technology and innovation chiefs to accelerate industrial growth
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Manufacturing
MTC has appointed Dr. Katy Milne as Chief Research & Technology Officer and Dr. Joe Darlington as Chief Innovation Solutions Officer, as the organisation enters its next phase of growth.
The pair will succeed Professor Ken Young, one of MTC’s founders, who is retiring after 15 years helping to build MTC from its beginnings into an organisation with almost 1,000 employees and 85 industry members.
Together, their roles will bring dedicated leadership to both ends of the innovation journey, helping MTC to turn breakthrough research into industrial impact and support delivery of the UK’s Industrial Strategy. Katy will lead the organisation’s long-term technology strategy and the pull-through of cutting-edge technologies from academia into industry. Joe will focus on generating nearer-term impact, helping established manufacturers and growing technology companies use innovative processes to expand production and scale their businesses.
Katy joined MTC as one of its earliest engineers, following an industry-based doctorate at Rolls-Royce. She has since led major research and supply chain programmes, alongside secondments to the Aerospace Technology Institute and High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
The new knowledge we develop today will underpin the industrial growth of tomorrow. My focus will be on strengthening MTC as an engine for that innovation, connecting emerging technologies with the needs of industry and turning world-class research into production capability that strengthens UK supply chains and creates opportunities for growth.
Dr. Katy Milne, Chief Research & Technology Officer, MTC
Joe joined MTC through its digital team before progressing into leadership roles across its technical portfolio. His career has focused on applied research and helping businesses of all sizes adopt and scale new technologies.
Great technology only delivers value when industry can put it to work. We want to make it easier for businesses to take that step, whether that’s helping an established manufacturer adopt a new production method, or an ambitious hard-tech start-up turn breakthrough technology into a scalable business. By putting greater focus on scale-up and adoption, we can help more innovation make the journey into industry and deliver greater productivity, competitiveness and growth.
Dr. Joe Darlington, Chief Innovation Solutions Officer, MTC
MTC has also strengthened its Board with the appointment of Professor Tom Rodden as a Non-Executive Director. Professor Rodden is Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Nottingham. He previously served as Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport from January 2019 until September 2023, advising ministers and senior officials, ensuring government policies were supported by the best science and technology advice available, and supporting effective communication between government, academia and industry.
I’m proud to join the MTC Board at a time when strengthening UK manufacturing is increasingly central to the national agenda. MTC has an important role connecting research, technology and industry, and I look forward to helping it to remain at the forefront of innovation and support a more productive, resilient and competitive manufacturing sector.
Professor Tom Rodden, Non-Executive Director, MTC
Ken has been fundamental to MTC’s story. From its earliest days, he has helped shape our technology capabilities and build an organisation that today works with industry across some of the UK’s most important sectors. I’d like to thank him for his enormous contribution to MTC and UK manufacturing and wish him all the best for his retirement.
Katy and Joe have both played an important part in MTC’s growth and bring deep knowledge of our technologies, partners and the businesses we support. Their complementary expertise, as well as Tom’s experience in research and policy, will enable us to deliver greater impact and help drive a new era of industrialisation for the UK.
Dr. Graham Hoare, CEO, MTC
The appointments come as MTC continues to expand its capabilities and footprint. At Ansty Park in Coventry, MTC has acquired a new 5,000 square metre facility, renamed the Shilling Building after pioneering engineer Beatrice ‘Tilly’ Shilling. The facility will provide additional capacity to deliver R&D programmes, scale up innovative products for frontier industries and develop new production methods with MTC members and industry partners.
MTC is also growing its presence across the UK. Earlier this month, it opened MTC Training Tyneside at Cobalt Park in North Tyneside, expanding its support for engineering and manufacturing skills in the North East, with capacity expected to grow to more than 100 apprentices a year. In early 2027, MTC’s North West team will relocate to Sci-Tech Daresbury, providing new opportunities for collaboration, capability development and future growth in the Liverpool City Region.