Engineering and innovation leaders join HVM Catapult Board of Directors

Three new non-executive directors have joined the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult Board, bringing vast industry and academic experience in commercialising cutting-edge R&D, scaling technology-led businesses and driving industrial transformation across the UK.

Dame Helen Atkinson, Dr Anna Floyer-Lea and Dr Stella Peace will provide leadership, scrutiny and oversight to the organisation’s pursuit of its strategic priorities for UK industry, including the clean energy transition, national security capability, healthy living and industrial sustainability.

Their backgrounds will provide notable insight into the fundamental challenges that face the manufacturing sector and the key enablers to transform the UK industrial landscape, including AI and digitalisation, supply chain development and innovation in support of business scale up.

Dame Helen Atkinson is Deputy Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Cranfield University, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and serves on the Governing Board of the Henry Royce Institute. She brings a depth and breadth of experience with UK academia in relation to manufacturing and materials. Dame Helen was made DBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours 2021 for services to engineering and education.

Dr Anna Floyer-Lea previously served as Chief Financial Officer of BP Ventures and Launchpad. She has also held senior roles at HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury where she focused on research and innovation policy supporting companies developing and commercialising intellectual property in the UK. Anna is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a PhD in neuroscience.

Dr Stella Peace was most recently Managing Director at Innovate UK and has held senior leadership roles at Unilever and Nomad Foods, where she led the translation of R&D into commercially successful products and industrial processes, and contributed to the development of resilient global supply chains. She holds a degree in chemistry and a PhD in polymer science.

The new directors replace Professor Andy Neely, Andy Jones and Rob Shaw, who are stepping down following the completion of their terms as Board members.

Steve Bagshaw CBE, HVM Catapult Chair, said:

I wish to express my sincere thanks to Professor Andy Neely, Andy Jones and Rob Shaw for the leadership they have provided HVM Catapult, helping it to develop as an innovation hub for UK industry and delivery partner for the UK’s modern industrial strategy.

I am delighted that three directors of such exceptional calibre have joined the HVM Catapult Board at this pivotal time for UK manufacturing. Their knowledge and expertise will be instrumental as we strengthen our programmes and partnerships, create global opportunities and use innovation as an engine of sustainable growth.

Dame Helen Atkinson DBE said:

At a time of considerable challenge for manufacturing in the UK, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult has a crucial role to play in supporting the UK’s national priorities, strengthening our resilience and driving growth. I am very much looking forwards to contributing to the Board and bringing the perspective of the higher education sector in the UK.

Dr Anna Floyer-Lea said:

I am delighted to be joining the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Board as a non-executive director. I have a long-standing passion for innovation and technology, and I am deeply committed to helping innovative businesses to thrive and grow. HVM Catapult is a cornerstone of the UK’s industrial innovation landscape, accelerating the commercialisation of the country’s most advanced manufacturing technologies.

Dr Stella Peace said:

I am really pleased to join the High Value Manufacturing Catapult Board as a non‑executive director at a pivotal moment for UK manufacturing. The Innovate UK Catapult Network is a vital national asset, bringing together world-class talent to turn ideas into impact. I look forward to working with the HVM Catapult Board and wider network to scale innovation and strengthen the UK’s manufacturing capability.