Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Industrial Engineering space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Eman Martin-Vignerte
Director of Bosch
Eman Martin-Vignerte was born in Qatar and studied Electrical Engineering in Paderborn/Germany at the “Paderborn University” and Medical Equipment Engineering at the university in Ulm/Germany. She joined Bosch in 1999 as SW engineer to work for common rail diesel engine, where she developed SW and HW for the Electronic Diesel Control (EDC) during the first 4 years. In 2004, she moved on to the automotive division responsible for Hyundai customer to become a team leader for the change management activities. Three years later she took on responsibility for business development for Healthcare Telemedicine in the UK. From 2013, she is the Head of Political Affairs and Government Relation. Eman is also responsible for Bosch’s Smart City activities in the UK.
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About Bosch: The Bosch Group is a global supplier of technology and services.
Lola Fernandez-Redondo
Senior Associate Director of Jacobs
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About Jacobs: Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world.
Gareth Maker
Co-Founder & Managing Director of M Squared Lasers
Gareth Maker attained a first class honours degree in Physics from Southampton University in 1986. The laser research group at Southampton is one of the largest and most prestigious in the UK, and as part of this group Gareth completed PhD research into laser development in 1989, producing many firsts in the field of diode-pumped solid-state lasers. He then spent a year working on laser research within the new Optical Research Centre (ORC), also based in Southampton. This was part of a government initiative to create centres of excellence for research within UK universities, and as such the ORC represented a £10M investment by the UK government. In 1991 he co-founded Microlase Optical Systems Ltd. Gareth then took the company from a startup to one having a turnover of around £3M and a worldwide reputation for excellence. The technical and financial success of this business eventually led to a trade sale to Coherent Inc (one of the world’s largest laser companies and NASDAQ listed) in 2000. Gareth continued as joint Managing Director until 2002, at which point the business had grown to 50 employees, had achieved a turnover of £7M, and occupied purpose-built prestigious premises within Glasgow, Scotland. He then acted as a technical consultant to several photonics companies, helping them to remain forward looking both in their R&D activities and in key areas of product design and manufacturing.
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About M Squared Lasers: M Squared Lasers develops and manufactures next-generation lasers and photonic instruments.
Ivor Guiney
Technical Director of Paragraf
Ivor’s experience is in physics, engineering and semiconductor materials, with focuses on solid state device development, epitaxial growth advancement and novel materials development. He has taken the lead on projects which have developed new combinations of functional materials with a view to linking innovative science with real-world applications. Throughout numerous projects, Ivor has taken charge of material deposition and characterisation for electronic and optoelectronic devices to solve issues endemic to the semiconductor industry. Ivor has held positions both in the commercial world of capital equipment manufacture and academia as a senior physicist at the University of Cambridge. He also sits on the Institute of Physics Semiconductor Committee.
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About Paragraf: Paragraf develop and deliver game-changing, commercial-quality, graphene-based electronic devices using contamination-free technology.
John Halfpenny
Director of Paragraf
John has a successful track record as a Director and CXO of several high tech and clean tech companies with experience in company level transactions in all areas of the business life cycle, including start up to sale, and floatation on AIM. John has considerable commercial experience from holding senior positions within global companies such as ARM and Texas Instruments. He has extensive international commercial experience, having negotiated IP licensing, outsourced manufacturing, distributor and joint venture agreements with organisations across Europe, Asia and the US. John has a Masters’ degree in Engineering Science from The University of Cambridge and currently holds a variety of non-executive and advisory positions within the science community, John is also a Fellow of The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
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About : Paragraf develop and deliver game-changing, commercial-quality, graphene-based electronic devices using contamination-free technology.
Dominic Falcao
Founding Director of Deep Science Ventures
Founding Director at Deep Science Ventures
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About Deep Science Ventures: DSV is a venture studio and a fund that develops a systematic, optimized approach to science company development and investment.
Mark Hammond
Founding Director of Deep Science Ventures
Mark manages the commercialisation of software including web and mobile apps. Since joining the technology transfer team in 2011 he has founded the Imperial Digital Enterprise Accelerator and built a community of student entrepreneurship around the accelerator under the icstartup brand. This initiative drives venture creation via workshops, talks, funding and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs in collaboration with both College initiatives and student societies. Mark completed a combined Masters in Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence from UMIST and went on to obtain a PhD whilst leading a project which investigated how networks of neurons generate behaviour by implementing a biological neuronal network as the brain of a mobile robot. He has also been featured in New Scientist and given talks at the Science Museum and Dana Centre. Marks commercial background includes setting up an IT service business unit and an analyst role at a boutique investment bank in which he worked with IT and cleantech start-ups to develop their commercial and fundraising strategy.
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About Deep Science Ventures: DSV is a venture studio and a fund that develops a systematic, optimized approach to science company development and investment.
Bianca Cefalo
Director of International Business Development of Carbice Corporation
Bianca Cefalo is the Director of International Business Development at Carbice Corporation.
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About Carbice Corporation: Carbice is developing a product used to dissipate heat away from product packaging to stop electronic devices from overheating.
Monika Tomecka
Executive Director, CEO & Co-Founder of uFraction8
Dr Monika Tomecka has a PhD with a background in biology, genetics and biomedical research. This gives her insight into the science and operations of uFraction8’s customer segments. She is able to converse at an appropriate level to engage and sell the benefits of uFraction8 technology.
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About uFraction8: uFraction8 develops microfluidics-based filtration systems to help bio-manufacturers to harvest biomass sustainably and more efficiently.
Brian Miller
Managing Director & Co-Founder of uFraction8
Dr Brian Miller is one of the original inventors of uFraction8’s technology. Following the successful PhD where the technology was developed, he undertook a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowship to learn the skills required for commercialisation of the technology. Furthermore, he has a background as a professional engineer and was involved in delivering high value projects in gas turbine control systems in industry.
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About uFraction8: uFraction8 develops microfluidics-based filtration systems to help bio-manufacturers to harvest biomass sustainably and more efficiently.
Ken Ritson
Group Managing Director and Co-Founder of EDS HV Group
Ken Ritson is Group Managing Director. Ken is responsible for installation contracts and services/project management within EDS. Ken started his career with a UK Electricity Company and progressed to a Training & Development Engineer. In 1993 he joined a UK contracting firm as Contracts Manager, and formed EDS in 1994. As a founder member of EDS Ken has a vast experience from installation, training and development through management of multi-million pound companies. Ken’s practical, commercial, business and industry knowledge has left him well placed to deliver solutions to clients in the most challenging situations.
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About EDS HV Group: EDS HV Group engages in the design and installation of wind farm construction projects.
Bruce Renfrew
Managing Director of Renfrew Group International
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About Renfrew Group International: Award winning Renfrew Group are a full service, product design consultancy.
Michael McClelland
Company Director of GFH Additive
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About GFH Additive, Torszo: GFH Additive offers world-class metalworking by providing software support to the state-of-the-art metal industry.
Jiahao Huang
Co-founder, Director and CFO of Nuclera
A molecular biologist by trade, Jiahao has coordinated multi-national collaborative projects and experienced first hand the limitations of the current provision of DNA. This intimate knowledge of user requirements enables him to guide Nuclera’s commercial operations towards creating the right product for the right market. Jiahao holds a BSc from the University of California, Berkeley, and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Cambridge.
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About Nuclera: Nuclera makes biology accessible through desktop enzymatic protein and gene synthesis.
Nigel Hall
Founder & Managing Director of WHP Engineering
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About WHP Engineering: WHP Engineering is a multi-disciplined, engineering company dedicated to providing both standalone and turnkey solutions.
David Weir
Founder & Technical Director of WHP Engineering
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About WHP Engineering: WHP Engineering is a multi-disciplined, engineering company dedicated to providing both standalone and turnkey solutions.
Thomas Meany
Director of OpenCell
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About OpenCell, Royal College of Art: OpenCell builds biotech labs in shipping containers with the aim of making biotechnology accessible and affordable.
Phill Adamson
Managing Director & Co-Founder of Paragon Rapid Technologies Ltd
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About Paragon Rapid Technologies Ltd: A leading product development and production support company, offering prototyping, manufacturing and supply chain management solutions.
Jeffrey Passell
Director of international sales of DFx Technology
Jeffrey Passell is the director of international sales at DFX Technology.
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About DFx Technology: DFx Technology designs and manufactures energy saving technologies.
Anthony Hammersley
Director and General Manager of TEV
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About TEV: TEV specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) products.
Christopher Chisman
Director of Marstair of TEV
Christopher Chisman has been serving as director of Marstair at TEV since July 1998.
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About TEV: TEV specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) products.
Colin Crabb
Financial Director of Materials Solutions
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About Materials Solutions: Materials Solutions offers additive manufacturing services to its clients.
Bhavik Shah
Engineering Director of HSSMI
Bhavik Shah is the engineering director of HSSMI.
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About HSSMI: HSSMI is an innovation institute for manufacturing that helps companies develop and take measures towards their strategic general goals.
Axel Bindel
Executive Director of HSSMI
Axel Bindel is the executive director at HSSMI.
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About HSSMI: HSSMI is an innovation institute for manufacturing that helps companies develop and take measures towards their strategic general goals.
Satwik Mehta
Engineering Director of HSSMI
Satwik Mehta is the engineering director at HSSMI.
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About HSSMI: HSSMI is an innovation institute for manufacturing that helps companies develop and take measures towards their strategic general goals.
Derek Wood
Engineering Director of WBL Engineering
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About WBL Engineering: WBL Engineering Limited is a company that specializes in pneumatic conveying and large materials handling systems.
Phil Blewitt
Managing Director of NETA Training Centre
Phil Blewitt is the managing director at NETA Training Group. Prior to joining NETA Training, Phil served as the senior vice president of business development at Site Group International Limited. Before that, he has held various executive positions at Petrofac Training Services.
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About NETA Training Centre: NETA Training is a vocational training provider that delivers a wide range of commercially and Government funded engineering training.
Phil Blewitt
Managing Director of NETA Training Centre
Phil Blewitt is the managing director at NETA Training Group. Prior to joining NETA Training, Phil served as the senior vice president of business development at Site Group International Limited. Before that, he has held various executive positions at Petrofac Training Services.
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About NETA Training Centre: NETA Training is a vocational training provider that delivers a wide range of commercially and Government funded engineering training.
