AI on the Shop Floor: Ignore the Hype, Here's What's Real
The truth about AI in manufacturing: it's not the shiny new thing, it's the thing that makes the other shiny new things work.
OPERATIONS LEADERMaking things
Making things
that make things.
Head of Robotics & Deployments at AUAR. Previously Rolls-Royce, Edwards Vacuum, BCG.
Currently: Building robots that build houses.
The messy middle is where I thrive.
I write Python and I run factories. I can debug machine code and present to a board. That bridge between the technical and the operational is where I do my best work.
My career started on the shop floor at Rolls-Royce, where I eventually led the team assembling the world's largest jet engine. I've since driven Industry 4.0 transformation across 12 countries, optimised pharmaceutical production lines at BCG, and now I'm building robotic construction systems at AUAR.
The gap between "it works in the lab" and "it's running 24/7 across 14 sites" is where most innovation dies — and it's where I've spent my entire career.
UK Manufacturer Top 100Young Manufacturer of the YearMSc Engineering Business ManagementLe Wagon Full Stack Development
Where I've built things
From apprentice to global operations—a decade of making manufacturing work.
Head of Robotics & Deployments
AUAR
Building robotic construction systems. Took next-gen product from design to test launch in under 3 months. Own deployment lifecycle across Europe and North America.
Consultant, Operations Practice
Boston Consulting Group
Led lean production system rollouts for pharma manufacturers. Delivered 10% reduction in lead times through digital tools and operational excellence.
Senior Manager, Industry 4.0
Edwards Vacuum
Directed Industry 4.0 rollout across 14 facilities in 12 countries. Led global team executing >£1M CapEx projects. Consolidated digital toolkit by 90%+ onto Azure.
Innovation & DemoWorks Lead
Rolls-Royce
Ran 24/7 R&D factory with full P&L accountability. Team of ~50 engineers and technicians. Directed assembly of the UltraFan—the world's largest jet engine.
UltraFan: World's largest jet engine
Operations Leadership Programme → Production Lead
Rolls-Royce
4.5-year accelerated development programme leading my first team at 20. Built the operational foundational skills that everything else sits on.
Thinking
How manufacturing actually changes. From someone building on the shop floor.
Let's talk
Always happy to talk manufacturing, robotics, or interesting problems.