HVM Catapult appoints new director for South Wales

Jacqui Murray has been appointed the new Director of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult for South Wales.

In January 2024, it was announced that HVM Catapult would be collaborating with the Welsh Government on a new digital factory hub to advance manufacturing technology innovation and support Wales’ green industrial transformation.

The new site, HVM Catapult Baglan, aims to contribute to a prosperous and resilient Wales, helping to create more well-paid jobs in industry and manufacturing now and for future generations. It is located in the Bay Technology Centre on the Baglan Energy Park in Port Talbot and will include a new facility funded by the Welsh Government and known as the digital factory hub. This will showcase some of the digital technologies that can be deployed in supporting manufacturers with their digital or sustainability transition.

HVM Catapult chief executive, Katherine Bennett CBE, said:

Industry and manufacturing are part of our national identity and history in Wales – and through the HVM Catapult’s network of seven innovation centres we are there to support it to thrive. Our hub will provide a place where existing and new industry can be creative, where we can test new innovations and reinvent how we do things to be more productive and sustainable.

Jacqui will work alongside Welsh Government, UK Government, AMRC Cymru in Broughton in North Wales, the wider network of HVM Catapult centres and partners to increase our capacity and capability in manufacturing research, development and technology and enable us to connect with global supply chains and attract investment into Wales.

Jacqui started her career in the Steelworks in Llanwern and Port Talbot in 1996 before moving on to support heavy industry in Wales in a regulatory role. Previously she led and grew the £600m-plus Faraday Battery Challenge, part of the UK Government’s support to Electric Vehicle Batteries.

She is the outgoing Chief Operating Officer of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), which is one of the seven HVM Catapult centres.