Dr Faye Smith OBE

Dr Faye Smith OBE has a wealth of experience in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. In 2001, they began their career as Manager of Materials Technology at Thermion Systems Europe, where they were responsible for project management and research. In 2002, they moved to TWI as Senior Project Leader in the Polymer Section, where they were responsible for the development of proposals and delivery of research projects. From 2006 to 2013, they worked at UK Trade & Investment as a Sector Specialist for Performance Engineering & Materials, where they provided strategic investment targeting and delivery, and relationship management with high-level management or senior technical representatives in companies. In the same period, they also worked at the Royal Aeronautical Society as Business Development Director, where they were responsible for establishing the new Business Development Department and strategy. From 2012 to 2013, they worked at Avalon Consultancy Services Ltd as Director and Consultant, where they supported the strategic development of engineering and manufacturing technologies and the associated skills and supply chain requirements. From 2013 to 2020, they were a Board Director at Composites UK, the trade association for the UK composites supply chain, and held the positions of Vice Chairman and Chairman. Additionally, they worked at the Department for International Trade (DIT) as an Advanced Materials Specialist and Northern Powerhouse Materials Specialist, providing technical support related to advanced materials for inward investment projects. In 2020, they became a Non Executive Director at Inductosense.

Dr Faye Smith OBE's education history includes a Ph.D from Imperial College London in Composite Materials (1994-1998), a Post Doc from Queen Mary University of London in Composite Materials (1998-2001), a Master of Science from Imperial College London in Composite Materials (1993-1994), a BSc. Hons from Imperial College London in Physics and O Levels & A Levels from Sale Girls' Grammar School. Additionally, Dr Smith has obtained a Chartered Engineer from the Engineering Council in 2007 and is a Fellow of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3).