Meet the Head of the Industrial Technology & Manufacturing Team

The Innovate UK KTN Meet the Industrial Technology & Manufacturing Team article series is an opportunity to find out more about the specialists within the team and how they can help you find funding competitions as well as support you in developing your technology and organisation’s capabilities.

This month, Dr. Megan Ronayne, Head of the Industrial Technology & Manufacturing Team at Innovate UK KTN, shares what her work involves.

What is your role at Innovate UK KTN?

“I am the Head of Industrial Technologies & Manufacturing at Innovate UK KTN.”

What does your job role involve?

“I support the team in leading a large portfolio of activities and projects including Made Smarter Innovation Network, Driving the Electric Revolution and Analysis for Innovators (A4I). My role is to establish and promote KTN as the UK’s leading catalyst for innovation in the Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing sectors to grow the UK economy.”

What does a typical day/week look like at KTN?

“There is no typical day or week at KTN and that is what makes my role very exciting and enjoyable. As Head of Industrial Technologies & Manufacturing, a typical day will include 1-1 or project meetings to support the team at KTN by setting the direction of work and providing strategic guidance to deliver change programmes, and maintaining strong relationships with our key stakeholders and presenting or attending events to deliver knowledge transfer and support businesses with high growth potential.”

What’s your biggest priority at the moment?

“I am currently focused on supporting the team with the Industry-led Made Smarter Innovation Network programme, as our biggest priority is the Smart Manufacturing Expo in Liverpool on 16th & 17th November as part of Digital Manufacturing Week. KTN supports Innovation Alley at the Smart Manufacturing Expo, where we bring together the largest showcase of leading edge digital technologies for the manufacturing sector.”

“My biggest priority is working on building our engagement and relationships with key stakeholders across the manufacturing landscape including the High Value Manufacturing Catapults, universities, trade associations and regional stakeholders to understand how we can further align to support UK manufacturing.”

What upcoming technology advancements/innovations are you excited about in your sector/industry/area of work?

“I am very excited about the future focus on UK manufacturing and the opportunities available with digitalisation, net zero solutions, resilient supply chains, levelling up, future skills and industrial strategy.”

Tell us about something exciting you’re working on?

“Industrial technologies are a key driver in enabling the UK manufacturing sector to become more productive, resilient, and competitive. As the new Head of Industrial Technologies and Manufacturing, I am excited to be working with the team to help the manufacturing sector to make powerful connections to drive innovation that influences the economic sustainability of industry through the interdependency of technologies and manufacturing.”

What is your previous work experience?

“My academic background has focused on understanding UK manufacturing in the 21st Century through its competitive landscape, business strategy and skills agenda. My career has been characterised by my enthusiasm for connecting research with industry for innovation. I have project managed two SME business support programmes at Aston University and the University of Nottingham, which has involved the knowledge transfer on key themes of innovation, productivity, servitization and digitalisation. My role as Regional Manager for the Midlands and the East of England at Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, involved identifying business engagement and support opportunities, managing regional and national events, and collating manufacturers’ viewpoints to be shared with key stakeholders for shaping the UK industrial strategy.”

Contact us

Make sure to visit the manufacturing as well as industrial technology sections of the Innovate UK KTN website to find out more about how the team can support your business.