Cathryn led the successful bid for, and is now Programme Director of, the Strength in Places (SIPF) wave 2 programme entitled ‘Midlands Advanced Ceramics for Industry 4.0’ which was started in 2021. This comprises a 5-year research programme with MICG partners as well as the development of The AMRICC Centre as a go-to facility for ceramics innovation commercialisation. She is leading The AMRICC Centre facility on behalf of industry.

Cathryn has a first-class honours degree and PhD in chemistry from University of Sheffield, 18 years’ experience in the downstream oil business, and 10 years’ experience in vocational skills development, including the development of a National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies. She has a sustained record of strategic leadership to create vision and implement strategies to support the growth of new business and services in a range of industries.

Dr Gasparini, a Chartered Chemical Engineer specialising in product development, technology commercialisation, and multi-skill collaborations, is the Director of Programmes, providing programme management oversight of The AMRICC Centre.

Access to the AMRICC Centre is managed by Gilda, along with overseeing all projects undertaken in the facility, and she will be directing the expanding catalogue of work with national and international clients, Government agencies, universities, and specialist research groups, as the AMRICC Centre opens up new opportunities.

Mark has held several Technical, R&D and Operations Director roles in the ceramic manufacturing sector and has been involved in a wide range of projects and initiatives; from installing ERP systems, gaining ISO9001 and 14001 accreditations, and designing and implementing new factory layouts, as well as process automation projects. Mark has played an active role on various Technology Advisory Boards to help progress industry innovations.

Mark holds a master's degree in business administration from Warwick Business School, a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, and a diploma in Ceramic Technology.

Mark oversees the running of all operations within The AMRICC Centre.

Stephen is a senior finance professional with over 36 years’ experience in his specialist area of accountancy in industries including IT, Financial Services, and Services.

His day-to-day role involves utilising his deep knowledge and experience to provide financial guidance and oversight to the complex projects that the AMRICC Centre is involved with.

Stuart has decades of experience specialising in collaborative R&D project development and management, focused on materials strategy development. Stuart holds a BSc (Hons) in Materials Science and Technology, an MSc in Physical Metallurgy (Oxidation of Austenitic Stainless Steels), and an MBA.

His daily activities are varied but all have an innovation focus.  For example, looking at emerging themes in ceramic technology to help develop AMRICC activities.  Stuart develops and writes proposals for collaborative R&D projects, which are often funded through government agencies such as UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK, and the EC Horizon programme and manages the delivery of these projects.  Stuart also assists in developing exploitation strategies for new and emerging technologies, applying his many years’ experience of battery and component development, and processes and cell design for high energy density power systems.