Dr Clive Hickman and Ken Young have been appointed as the new Chief Executive and Technical Director respectively of the Manufacturing Technology Centre, currently under construction at Ansty Park near Coventry.

The MTC is a new world-class facility and unique collaboration between academia, research organisations and industry. It will bridge the gap between knowledge and cutting edge, competitive manufacturing production.

Alex Stephenson CBE, first chairman of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands and current Pro Chancellor at Birmingham City University, will also be on board as a non executive director of the MTC.

A combined capital contribution of £40 million from Advantage West Midlands and East Midlands Development Agency (emda) - one of the largest public sector investments in manufacturing for many years - provided the catalyst to drive forward the construction of the centre and the funding to help run it in the medium term.

A veteran of the Midlands car industry and former managing director of Ricardo, Dr Hickman is currently head of engineering at Tata Motors, heading up Tata's Warwick University-based European technical centre.

Former Chair of the British Automation and Robot Association (for ten years), Ken Young is Director of Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre where he has been based for the past 20 years. He takes up his new role at the MTC in January 2011.

Alex Stephenson has more than 40 years experience in manufacturing and design having held executive posts at Perkins Engines, BMW / Rover and, most recently, Alstom Transport as Engineering and Safety Director.  

The three experts join Terry Morgan CBE, Chair of Crossrail, who was recently appointed as new chairman of the MTC following verification by Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport.

Welcoming their new appointments, Clive Hickman said: "Great Britain needs a strong manufacturing base to remain competitive internationally.  The MTC has the potential to deliver a sustainable competitive advantage for UK based manufacturing companies.  The challenge is irresistable."

Ken Young said: "The MTC is crucial to the future prosperity of the UK. Manufacturers need to be at the forefront of production technology in order to have  a competitive advantage and maintain their ability to create wealth in the UK. Access to facilities like the MTC is vital to support industry in developing their manufacturing processes and creating world class capability."

Terry Morgan said: "Much of my working life has been involved in manufacturing and I care passionately about the contribution that manufacturing should bring to the UK economy. 

"The MTC can help develop a more competitive manufacturing capability in the UK at a time it needs it most. The MTC is a centre of excellence to bridge the gap between the capabilities of universities and applications that industry can use. This is a unique opportunity I want to contribute to."

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, said: "The new MTC senior management team is set to lead projects that will bridge that vital gap between knowledge and cutting edge, competitive production. The MTC is just the type of facility that will be essential for the future growth of the region's economy."

Jeff Moore, Chief Executive of East Midlands Development Agency (emda), said: "emda welcomes these three excellent appointments. Each brings a wealth of invaluable experience and knowledge to the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC). The economies of both the East and West Midlands have been built on a strong and thriving manufacturing sector and this is why emda and AWM are investing in the development of the MTC. 

"Once completed, the MTC will be a world-class centre of excellence, operated by some of the UK's leading manufacturing companies and universities, helping to ensure that the UK and the Midlands stays at the forefront of technology and innovation, and providing our manufacturing businesses with a vital, competitive edge."

Clive Hickman has been leading the Tata team developing its revolutionary Nano car.

Ken Young has a BSc in mechanical engineering from Nottingham University and a PhD in computer aided design and manufacture of filament wound composites from Nottingham University. The software developed remains available as a commercial system and is used extensively.

Ken spent five years at BYG systems developing a robotic simulation and offline programming system, also using the system for consultancy work in aerospace, automotive, mining and yellow goods industries. He spent one year as a software engineer at delcam, writing cutter path generation software for 3 and 5 axis milling. Ken remains a council member of the British Automation and Robot Association.

Alex Stephenson has more than 40 years experience in manufacturing and design with executive posts at Perkins Engines, BMW / Rover and, most recently, Alstom Transport as Engineering and Safety Director.