The UK's Gauge and Toolmakers Association (GTMA) said it has selected Geoff Highley as its new president.
Highely, who has been involved with the GTMA for the past 12 years, was approved as president at the association's Annual General Meeting. Said to be well-known to many of the members, he will retain the office of president for at least the next two years.
Commenting on the appointment, Highley said: “I am pleased to have the support of a board that has a wealth of experience, history and heritage, but with a clear plan for the future.”
Previously, Highley spent nine years as general manager at McLaren Racing, and before that he worked in various divisions of BAe.
He noted that a diverse background allows him to bring a different perspective to the GTMA. “Although I did run a toolroom at BAe, I have not worked as a toolmaker, or even within an SME. I am told this gives me the ability to ask the questions that many others don’t think of, as well as the knack to quickly cut to the crux of an issue.”
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He is said to be passionate about the association’s supply chain initiative, the Manufacturing Resource Centre (MRC), and looks forward to its ongoing development. “The MRC considers every step of the supply chain as a value adding opportunity. This is a route to a more engaged interface between the customer and GTMA members supplying specialist support services and expertise. Initiatives such as this, the recently introduced interactive website and the commercialisation of the EU technology project Incremental Sheetmetal Forming (ISF), will all help the association retain its members and attract new ones.”
The GTMA said it has also welcomed two new board members: Bob Tunks of BK Tooling, Bishop’s Stortford, and the University of Wolverhampton's Jon Rackley.
Sourced from etmm-online.de
