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 CTO’ operating in the Manufacturing space. If you think a CTO’ 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.
Chris Hancock
CTO & Founder of Creo Medical
Chris has over fifteen years experience creating and developing new medical device IP focused on the use of microwave and RF energy for therapeutic applications. In 2002 he founded MicroOncology Ltd (renamed Creo Medical Ltd in 2009) to develop his ideas relating to new cancer treatment systems using state of the art semiconductor device technology to generate high frequency microwave and millimetre wave energy, and novel energy delivery and measurement techniques to identify and controllably ablate cancerous tissue. He is currently the CTO and founder of Creo Medical Ltd and holds a personal Chair in the Medical Microwave Systems Research Group at Bangor University. Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, a Chartered Physicist , Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, a Chartered Engineer and a Senior Member of the IEEE. He is a named inventor and lead author on over 100 patents/patent applications and journal publications.
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About Creo Medical, Institute of Physics: Creo Medical is a developer of electrosurgical devices.
Dennis Curry
Executive Director and Deputy CTO, Technology Fellow of Konica Minolta
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About Konica Minolta: Konica Minolta is an Innovative Company and continues to create inspiring products and services in the field of imaging.
Gary Chandler
Chief Technology Officer of QiO Technologies
Gary joined QiO from Rolls-Royce, having spent 25 years developing real-time safety-critical control systems for aero-engines. As a keen strategist and innovator, Gary was a key leader in the adoption of ‘Lean Product Development’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ within Rolls-Royce, deeply engaging with the associated culture change. From both a Chief Engineer and a Functional Head perspective, Gary has loved working in teams that are delivering customer value with exciting technology products.
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About QiO Technologies: Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence software that enables increased operational efficiency, productivity, safety and new revenues
Peiman Hosseini
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of Bodle Technologies
Peiman is a founder and Chief Technology Officer of Bodle. As a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford, he demonstrated the use of ultrathin functional materials in electro-optical applications, setting up Bodle Technologies with Harish to commercialize this invention. He was a member of the RAEng Enterprise Hub in 2014 and has won numerous awards for this technology including the Printed Electronics R&D Academic Award. Pei leads the technology development and with the other management team members helps define business and development strategy.
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About Bodle Technologies, Bodle Technologies: Developing SRD® technology for a low-power display of vivid colours that doesn’t look washed out in bright conditions
Tim Woolmer
CTO and Founder of YASA
Tim developed the unique YASA motor topology as part of his DPhil at the University of Oxford. Tim now works as the CTO at YASA motors, with responsibility for the technical development of the YASA motor. Tim completed a general Engineering degree at Oxford University from 2000-2004.
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About YASA: Yasa develops and manufactures electric motors and generators of high power and high torque density electric.
Robert Edwin Rouse
CTO of Ichthion
Robert is a co-founder at Ichthion, acting as CTO and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cambridge. As an engineer, scientist and designer, Robert’s work has been recognised in several awards, such as Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Industrial Studentship (2015–2017), Jubilee Science Scholarship (2009-2013), Millhayes Science Scholarship (2009-2013), Dean’s Commendation for Outstanding Academic Achievement (2010) and others.
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About Ichthion: Ichthion engaged in Development of cutting-edge technology to restore the ocean environment.
Iain Maxted
Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Guardian Global Technologies
Following a degree in mining engineering from the University of London’s Imperial College and two years post-graduate study at Cardiff University’s Department of Mineral Exploitation, Guardian’s Technical and Managing Director, Iain Maxted spent the first six years of his oil industry career as a field engineer with Schlumberger. Wide experience of both onshore and offshore operations gained through positions in Denmark, Ireland, the UK, Norway, Syria and Egypt led to him being selected as a specialist engineer for deep, high-temperature operations with Shell in the Egyptian Western Desert. After leaving Schlumberger in 1992, Iain joined Sondex (now GE) and by 1995 was appointed General Manager. Iain left Sondex in 1995 and together with Guardian’s Operations Director, Suzannah Bourne, was requested by a number of service companies to develop various downhole intervention products. The first of these was the Addressable Release Tool which has become hugely successful and an industry standard. Iain has also been responsible for developing the shortest PL string in the world, redeveloping the production logging capability for one of the major service companies as well as the host of other production logging and Ballistics Delivery System products manufactured today by Guardian.
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About Guardian Global Technologies: Guardian Global Technologies is a designer and manufacturer of advanced Ballistics and Production Logging technology.
Chris Emery
Co-Founder & CTO of CloudNC
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About CloudNC: Creating autonomous manufacturing
Charles Bavington
CTO & Co-Founder of OCEANIUM
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About GlycoMar, OCEANIUM: Oceanium develops innovative, all-natural products from sustainably-sourced seaweed.
John Rudin
Founder, CTO, and COO of Folium Optics
John studied Engineering at Durham University, and Optics at Reading University. After working as a product design engineer he joined Hewlett Packard and helped found their UK based displays research group. In 2013 he and Steve Kitson set up Folium Optics to further the commercialisation of colourful, low power plastic displays.
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About Folium Optics: Folium Optics was founded in November 2013 by Steve Kitson and John Rudin.
Chris Case
Chief Technology Officer of Oxford PV
Dr Chris Case joined Oxford PV in April 2014. Chris brings a strong track record of senior technology management to the business. Since 2009, he has been running his own consultancy providing high level strategic technology commercialisation advice to global companies and small companies alike, including Voltaix Llc; recently acquired by Air Liquide, and Surrey NanoSystems. Prior to this, he spent ten years with BOC Edwards and The BOC Group, latterly part of the Linde Group where he was Chief Technology/Scientific Officer, responsible for driving global technology strategy and R&D for the €8 billion business. Chris has a strong scientific background in patents and IP management, and is passionate about realising their commercial value. His experience spans markets across the world including the US and he has worked for a number of companies – from large corporates to small start-ups – to help manage their IP portfolios, broaden their scope of influence and build successful and profitable businesses. As well as being extensively published in international press and periodicals, Chris is also a regular speaker and lecturer on integrated circuits and photovoltaics, and chaired the interconnect team of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) for more than 10 years. He began his career as Assistant Professor of Engineering at Brown University followed by 10 years at AT&T Bell Laboratories. He was a Fulbright-Hays scholar at the Université de Bordeaux, and holds a ScM in engineering and a PhD in materials science from Brown University.
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About Oxford PV: Oxford PV is a provider of perovskite solar cells.
Ian Redmond
Chief Technology Officer of Ceres Holographics
Dr. Ian Redmond has 27 years experience in research and industry, as a technologist and manager. Most of his experience has involved applications of holography following a PhD in Holographic Optical Elements (HOEs) from Heriot –Watt University, Edinburgh. He was co-founder of US-based consumer electronics company DataPlay, whose products won overall Best of Show at CES in 2001. Before returning to Scotland to found Ceres Imaging Ltd., he spent four years at the core of world-leading holographic data storage company InPhase Technologies, a spin-out from Bell Labs. There he led the holographic optical drive product development effort, pushing the development of the highest performance photopolymer media to date. This material was subsequently licensed to Bayer MaterialScience (Now Covestro), forming the foundations of the high-performance film developed under a joint development agreement (JDA) for Ceres, and now in production. His combination of knowledge in all aspects of holography, optics and photopolymer chemistry, at practical and theoretical levels is unmatched in the field. Dr Redmond remains at the heart of the company development advancing the core technology and defining customer solutions based on Ceres advanced capabilities.
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About Ceres Holographics: Ceres Holographics is enabling next-generation transparent AR displays with innovative holographic technology.
Robert Russell
CTO & Co-founder of Senseye
Rob is the Chief Technology Officer at Senseye, with a BEng in mechanical engineering. He has spent the last 15 years designing and deploying asset management and condition monitoring systems within the aerospace, defence and transport sectors. Having a mechanical engineering background in the software sector has enabled Rob to bridge the gap between the end user and the software teams he leads. His previous position was as CTO of Critical Software, an advanced software engineering company serving the aerospace and defence industries. Rob is passionate about maximising asset and equipment usage but believes in keeping things simple.
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About Senseye: Senseye is a cloud-based software for predictive maintenance.
Toby Schulz
Co-Founder & CTO of Vantage Power
Toby Schulz is the Director Electrification & Systems IRD at Allison Transmission.
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About Allison Transmission Holdings, Vantage Power: Vantage Power designs and manufactures powertrain electrification and connectivity technologies for heavy-duty vehicles.
Kevin Lind
Co-Founder and CTO of Perceptual Robotics
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About Perceptual Robotics: Perceptual Robotics is creating intelligent automation to make wind turbine and other infrastructure inspection simple and fast
Keith Strickland
Co-CEO / CTO of Plessey Semiconductors Ltd
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About Plessey Semiconductors Ltd: Plessey is a British high-tech company operating in the field compound semiconductors.
Dennis Xenos
Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer of Flexciton
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About Entrepreneur First, Flexciton: Flexciton is an optimisation technology company solving complex scheduling problems in semiconductor wafer fabrication
Ben Jensen
Founder and CTO of Surrey NanoSystems
Ben’s background is in the development of novel reactors used in Nanomaterials growth. Prior to founding SNS he was responsible for developing new technologies used in the hard disk drive industry and in sputter processing. He leads technical development of Vantablack coatings, and is involved with commercial engagement in new technology sectors from defence to luxury goods. Personally, I’m an explorer, creative thinker and solver of problems at the nano and commercial scale. Someone with serious commercial sense and a great ability to develop new business and close deals, especially in a start-up environment where competition and gaining traction are tough.
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About Surrey NanoSystems: Surrey NanoSystems manufactures nanoscale materials for use in engineering and product applications.
Dr Chris Dudfield
Chief Technology Officer of Intelligent Energy
Chris is responsible for directing and delivering the Group’s platform development road map from the point of research through to business division application. Prior to this role, Chris has held the positions of Director of Operations, Director of Programmes and Director of Technology at Intelligent Energy. Chris has worked continuously in the field of fuel cell technology since 1990 and has extensive practical experience in fuel cell stack, fuel processing and fuel cell systems technology. Chris holds chartered chemist (C. Chem.) and chartered scientist (C. Sci) status. He is also an appointed member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC).
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About Intelligent Energy: Intelligent Energy is a clean power systems company offering fuel cell and hydrogen generation technologies.
Robin Iddon
CTO of Edesix
Robin Iddon is Founder & CTO at Edesix.
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About Edesix: Edesix provides professional body worn video camera solutions.
Alistair Foster
CTO of Impression Technologies
Alistair is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer who has most recently held design analysis and work management roles in the rocket propulsion and nuclear energy sectors. Prior to this, he worked on the original HFQ concepts and is a named inventor on HFQ related patents He holds a PhD from The University of Birmingham and is a member of the IMechE Worcester area committee
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About Impression Technologies, Impression Technologies: Impression Technologies is leading the path towards lightweighting solutions in automotive, aerospace and consumer product sectors.
Can Kurtulus
Co-founder and CTO of Eatron Technologies
Can Kurtulusis the Co-founder and CTO at Eatron Technologies.
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About Eatron Technologies: Eatron provides Safe AI powered software solutions for Battery Management Systems (BMS) and L2+ ADAS for autonomous driving.
Stephen Dunniece
CTO & Founder of Cirdan
A founder of Cirdan, Stephen studied at Belfast Institute and the University of Ulster where he completed a MSc. in Electronics and Signal Processing. After working in the Physics Dept at QUB he joined Belfast start-up Andor Technology Ltd. For the next 7 years, he undertook all aspects of camera hardware design. In 1999, Stephen became Director of his own business, Audio Control Systems Ltd, involved in the design and installation of interactive equipment for the special needs sector.
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About Cirdan: Cirdan delivers solutions that enable rapid implementation of a robust and scalable digital pathology workflow into a laboratory.
Prof Gehan Amaratunga
CTO, Professor & Owner of CamSemi
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About CamSemi: CamSemi is a fabless company designing and manufacturing energy-efficient power conversion products.
Peter Hudson
Chief Technology Officer of Sepura
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About Sepura: Sepura is a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of digital radio products
Andrew Lovatt
Chief Technology Officer of Blacktrace Ltd
Andrew Lovatt currently serves Blacktrace Holdings as a chief technology officer. Prior to joining Blacktrace Holdings, Andrew spent three years with the Dolomite Microfluidics as chief technology officer.
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About Blacktrace Ltd: Blacktrace Ltd is a technology company specializing in biology, nanomaterial sciences, chemistry, and microfluidics.
Will Cavendish
CTO / CSO of Tradefox
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About Tradefox: The leading business intelligence & trading platform for the global trade of scrap & recyclable commodities.
Oliver Leisten
Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of Helix Technologies
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About Helix Technologies, Sarantel: Helix Technologies is developing a range of compact, high-performance, dielectric-loaded ceramic antennas.
Tom Gallard
CTO of Prodigi
Tom Gallard is Founder & CEO at Pwinty.
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About Crispy Fried Software Ltd, Prodigi, Pwinty: Prodigi is the world’s leading print on demand platform.
Matthew Bramble
Chief Technology Officer of Altec Lansing
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About Altec Lansing: Altec Lansing designs, manufactures, markets, and supports advanced audio solutions for PCs and related technologies.
Mark Rendle
Founder & CTO of oort Inc
Mark is the founder and CTO of Oort Corporation, a new company building cloud-based software for people who build cloud-based software. Oort’s first product, Zudio, a Windows Azure Storage toolkit, is currently in public preview and will be fully launching in April 2013. Mark has been a Windows Azure Development MVP for three years. In his spare time, Mark work’s on the Simple.Data not-an-ORM and Simple.Web projects, and wanders the world speaking at conferences and user groups. Or he just geeks out learning new programming languages and frameworks; in 2013 he’s working a lot with TypeScript and AngularJS.
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About oort Inc: OORT designs and manufactures hardware and software solutions which enable customers to turn their home or office into a smart one.
Paul Fotheringham
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of 3D LifePrints
Paul Fotheringham is Founder & Chief Technology Officer of 3D LifePrints UK Ltd.
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About 3D LifePrints: 3D LifePrints is the leading provider of Medical 3D Printing products and services with a unique in-hospital embedded model
Murray Reed
CTO of Gooch & Housego
Murray Reed is the CEO of QLM Technology.
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About Gooch & Housego, QLM Technology: Gooch & Housego is a global leader in photonics technology.
Josh Kopecek
CTO of SwarmBuild
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About ECHOES, SwarmBuild: SwarmBuild is an online marketplace for designs and digital fabrication, including 3D printing, CNC and laser cutting.
Dean Ward
Founder and CTO of Evoke Creative
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About Evoke Creative: Evoke Creative is a design and manufacture digital technologies.
Gareth Brett
Chief Technology Officer of Highview Power
Gareth Brett is the chief technology officer of Highview Power.
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About Highview Power: Manufacture Of Electricity Distribution And Control Apparatus
