Trust Board

WMG Academy for Young Engineers is overseen by the WMG Academy Trust. The Trust is made up members from industry and the University of Warwick who have led the development of WMG Academy and oversee its running from a strategic perspective.

The Trust Board is chaired by Mike Wright.

Mike Wright, Chair of the Trust Board

Mike has a diverse, international portfolio of Chair, NED, Remco Chair and Advisor roles in FTSE and North American listed businesses, and in leading Education, Sports, and Arts organisations.

He was an Executive Director of Jaguar Land Rover, retiring in 2016 after making a significant contribution to doubling JLR’s scale since 2008. He held international ExCo-level roles under Tata, Ford, BMW and BAe Systems ownership, spanning strategic, commercial, government affairs and product development disciplines. His responsibilities covered all the major and emerging markets of Europe, US, China, India, and included a 4-year assignment in Germany.

In 2018 Mike was elected to the Uni-Select Inc (Canada) Main Board and became Audit Committee Chair in May 19. Also in 2018, he was appointed to the Main Board and became Remco Chair of Pendragon plc (UK).

He has wide experience of governmental affairs and currently Chairs the newly formed West Midlands Innovation Board and was previously Chair of the Auto Council-sponsored Automotive Investment Organisation within UK DIT (2016-18), Chair of the West Midlands CBI Council (2014-16), and Director of the Engineering Employers Federation (2011-2017).

His Education, Sports and Arts activities include: Aston University Council, Baker Dearing Education Trust Board, Warwickshire County Cricket Club Board, Wasps Community Foundation Chair, and Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Contact: 024 7646 4661
principal@wmgacademy.org.uk
WMG Academy for Young Engineers
Mitchell Avenue
Coventry
CV4 8DY

Stuart Baker, BEng (Hons), FRAeS, Operations Executive – Control Systems, Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace

Stuart joined Lucas Aerospace in Birmingham after graduating from Leicester University in 1991 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with Computing. He has held a variety of management roles in engineering, programme management, manufacturing and quality, prior to the company’s recent acquisition by Rolls-Royce. Stuart’s most recent role was to manage a £75m investment to create a state of the art manufacturing and engineering facility in Solihull which will be home to 1,200 Rolls-Royce employees.

Stuart has been a trustee director of the Rolls-Royce Engine Control Systems pension scheme since 2009, he is the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP’s skills champion for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, he was a member of Birmingham City Council’s Green Bridge Supply Chain investment board, and is also a Vice President of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.

Outside of work, Stuart is a UKCC level 2 qualified Badminton coach, and works on a voluntary basis for Hartshill Hayes Junior Badminton Club. He is married, with two teenage children, and in any remaining spare time he loves to repair all things mechanical, particularly old clocks and watches.

Sally Lucas, BA (Hons), CIPD – Executive Director of Coventry & Warwickshire Chambers of Commerce Training

Sally joined Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training after graduating from Coventry University with an honours degree in Psychology, followed by a post graduate diploma in Personnel Management. She has held a number of management positions within the organisation, prior to taking up the post of Executive Director in 2001.

Key responsibilities include setting the strategic vision and leading one of the largest vocational training and development organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire, providing Apprenticeships and other training for over a thousand young people and adults, alongside an extensive range of business to business courses.

As head of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Sally is responsible for delivering high quality workforce development solutions which support businesses and individuals to grow. This includes developing strategic partnerships, including membership of local, regional and national skills bodies, including the British Chambers of Commerce Skills Forum and the Jobs and Skills Business Group of Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, where her role is to champion Apprenticeships, particularly for young people.

Rosie Drinkwater OBE

Rosie leads the finance function at Warwick, with a particular focus on the commercial areas and strategic projects. She is responsible for overseeing all financial arrangements of the University, reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and President. She is supported by her senior finance management team to whom routine management and operational matters are delegated. Rosie is a member of the Senior Management Team and is extensively involved in the University’s strategy and implementation.

Rosie first came to Warwick in October 1993 when she was appointed as Senior Assistant Finance Officer with specific responsibility for the University’s Earned Income Group. Before that she worked at senior manager level at the accountancy firms Grant Thornton and Price Waterhouse, specialising in advising family-owned businesses, SMEs and professional partnerships.

She is a graduate of St Mary’s College, Durham (Mathematics and Economics) and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Ben Story

Ben joined Rolls-Royce as Strategic Marketing Director and as member of the Executive Leadership Team in October 2016.

Ben has over 25 years of investment banking experience, working with clients around the world on privatisations, M&A, restructurings, equity raisings and financings. Throughout most of his career, Ben has focused on the industrials sector, including aerospace & defence and transportation.

Prior to joining Rolls-Royce, Ben was Head of UK Investment Banking & Broking at Citi from 2013. Previously, he worked at Deutsche Bank from 2005 to 2012, where he was Head of Industrials EMEA & Asia Pacific, and at Morgan Stanley from 1997, where he led the Transportation & Business Services EMEA & Asia-Pacific team.

Ben has a BSc in Management Sciences from Warwick University. He is a Board Member of Transport for London.

Charlotte Horobin

Make UK is the largest voice supporting UK manufacturing, Charlotte’s role as Region Director is to engage Make UK’s members and assist them in advancing as a manufacturer by providing bespoke introductions, providing industry insight, attendance at events & networking, promoting their business and ensuring their views are heard. Another key part of her role is to engage with regional stakeholders ensuring manufacturers’ interests are represented to LEPs, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Midlands Engine and the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Combined Authority. Charlotte is also a Careers and Enterprise Advisor in Lincolnshire and is a Senior Industrial Fellow with The Advanced Services Group at Aston Business School.

She gained her undergraduate degree from The University of Leeds in Biomedical Science before completing her Masters at The University of Nottingham. Before joining Make UK (formerly EEF) in 2013, Charlotte worked in food manufacturing where she focused on business development and food safety management.

Nicola Constant

Nicola joined the University of Warwick in in 1990 and has held many roles within the University since. Currently she leads the finance function as CFO for WMG, an Academic Department within the University which is known for its close links to industry and the founding Department for the Academy. Nicola is accountable for the financial aspects WMG, reporting to the Head of Department and the Group Finance Director of the University, whilst being part of the Executive Team within WMG. Nicola is a member of the Chartered Institute for Management Accountants, and holds an MBA from the University of Warwick.

Attendees

Kate Tague – Executive Principal

Diane Campton – Director of Finance

Jose Lopes – Resigned 4th September 2020