Lancashire BAE Systems man takes chair of Made Smarter steering group

Made Smarter, which aims to help SME manufacturers in the North West to adopt digital technologies, has appointed Glyn Jones as the new chairman of its steering group.

Based in BAE Systems’ Air business, Jones is the delivery director for the Tempest programme leading a team of around 1,000 engineers and manufacturers developing technology and options for UK’s next generation combat air system.

Born in Crewe and educated in Liverpool, Jones has been with BAE System for more than 30 years, working on many of the leading military and civil aircraft programmes, including the F-35 Lightning II and Eurofighter Typhoon.

He replaces Andrea Thompson, managing director for Europe and International business at BAE Systems Air, as chairman of the steering group which will oversee the development and delivery of the Made Smarter adoption programme in the North West.

The board, which features 15 representatives drawn from manufacturing firms from across Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Liverpool, will also monitor progress of the adoption pilot and help inform the proposed national roll-out of the Made Smarter movement.

Glyn Jones said: “As someone who is very much a product of the North West the prospect of helping businesses across the region runs through the core of me.

“I have spent my career introducing new technology and digital capability and seen the considerable benefits they can bring. I am energised and optimistic about the opportunity Made Smarter brings to SME manufacturers.

“Since Made Smarter launched it has delivered a programme which has made a significant difference to a number of the region’s SME manufacturers.”

Donna Edwards, Made Smarter programme director said: “I would like to thank Andrea Thompson for the significant contribution she has made to Made Smarter since it launched in November 2018. Her extensive international experience across key manufacturing sectors has helped deliver transformative change to significant numbers of SME manufacturers in the region.

“Glyn is a fantastic replacement as chair of the steering group and a valuable addition to the wider Made Smarter network of key business leaders we have brought together to continue to develop and drive this project through an extremely challenging time.