Made Smarter initiative appoints BAE Systems’ Andrea Thompson

Made Smarter launch
Made Smarter launch

Made Smarter, the recently launched £20 million initiative to help the North West’s manufacturing sector through the adoption of more industrial digital technologies, has appointed Andrea Thompson as the chair of its steering board.

Based at BAE Systems in Lancashire, Ms Thompson is BAE’s managing director for Europe & International Programmes. This includes responsibility for the company’s role in the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft programme, said to be the world’s largest defence project.

Prior to this Ms Thompson spent several years working in the United States, primarily in the automotive sector, before returning to the UK to work for major names including Leyland Trucks and Rolls Royce.

In her role as chair of the Made Smarter steering group, she will oversee the successful development and operational delivery of the Made Smarter programme.

The steering board, which features over a dozen representatives drawn from manufacturing firms from across the North West, will also monitor progress of the pilot project and report on learnings which will help to inform the proposed national roll-out of the Made Smarter concept.

Andrea Thompson

Commenting on her appointment as Chair, Ms Thompson said: “Having spent many years working in global industries like engineering, automotive and aerospace I know how respected and admired the North West of England’s manufacturing tradition is.

“However, much of this is down to the legacy of the first industrial revolution which started in this region. With Made Smarter we now have a real opportunity to kick-start a new era of technology-led manufacturing, driven by innovative and ambitious SMEs, throughout the whole of the North West.

“I am very proud to have been appointed to the role of Chair for the steering group, and I am relishing the opportunity to helping shape and develop this exciting project which has the potential to transform the region’s industrial economy.”

Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens and Co-Chair of the national Made Smarter Commission said: “I am delighted Andrea has agreed to become the Chair of the North West steering group. She will be a fantastic addition to the wider Made Smarter network of key business leaders we have brought together, both regionally and nationally, to help develop and deliver this project.”

Made Smarter was officially launched before Christmas in Liverpool. Backed by government and some of the world’s biggest businesses, the Made Smarter North West programme is set to engage with 3,000 SME manufacturers based in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region to boost productivity.

Companies that get involved in the project will get the chance to access match funded support and advice regarding how new technologies could revolutionise their manufacturing processes and reap the benefits of more efficient production.

Made Smarter www.madesmarter.uk

Company

BAE Systems

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