News: Boeing president to speak at Global Manufacturing Festival

Sir Roger Bone, President of Boeing UK, will be the first high-profile guest speaker at this year's Global Manufacturing Festival, which takes place in Sheffield this March.

Sir Roger will officially launch the event with a lecture organised by the University of Sheffield, which will be held at the institution's Octagon Centre on March 21, in association with Sheffield Hallam University.

Boeing was the founding member of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.

Responsible for coordinating all Boeing business activities in the UK, Sir Roger was appointed an honorary ambassador for British business by the Prime Minister in 2010.

The festival will also host a Get Up To Speed – Skills and Education Show on March 21, which will be open to young people, schools, parents and students who wish to meet with local engineering and manufacturing businesses.

An international convention and trade show will take place at the City Hall, Sheffield on March 22, with business leaders from around the globe attending.

Key themes at the convention will cover the three critical areas of UK strategy and support, new markets and opportunities, and technology and commercialisation.

Speakers confirmed include Ric Parker from Rolls-Royce, Dr. Alan McLelland from NAMTEC, Alan Cumming of EDF Energy, Andrew Peters from Siemens Drive Technologies, Sir Chris O'Donnell former CEO of Smith & Nephew and Professor Keith Ridgway CBE Executive Dean of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Institute.

Later that evening, the festival will come to a close with the Made in Sheffield awards dinner at the Cutlers' Hall.

Global Manufacturing Festival website

Images: globalmanufacturingfestival.com