GAMBICA’s Industrial Automation Council has elected a new Chair to lead the committee going forward.

Martyn Williams, Managing Director of COPA-DATA UK Ltd , will take over from Simon Keogh, General Manager of Factory Automation at Siemens Digital Industries, who will still sit on the GAMBICA Board.

GAMBICA’s Industrial Automation (IA) Council is made up of top-level business representatives within the sector from member companies. The primary objectives of the Council are to give strategic direction, be a collective voice and represent the UK’s Industrial Automation industry.

Martyn has worked in the engineering industry for over 20 years, with over a decade of that time spent leading an industrial automation company. He said: “Automation plays a critical role in the overall growth of the UK’s wider engineering and manufacturing output — but there’s so much we need to do as a Council to improve its standards, representation and influence."

He added: “The skills shortage continues to be one of engineering’s biggest challenges. I believe that improving engagement with young people is crucial to fixing this, and this is something I want to focus on as Chair. 

“To meet the needs of industry, we need to start building the next generation of engineering leaders. Naturally, this needs to start in education, but we also have a responsibility as business leaders to engage with young people and provide mentorship. I’m a STEM ambassador for this exact reason.

“Not only is youth engagement crucial for future economic growth in engineering, but it will also prove necessary to encourage industry to embrace technological change. The younger generation is the most technologically savvy group of workers available but these skills currently aren’t being used in a way that can deliver actual societal change.”

Nikesh Mistry, GAMBICA’s Sector Head for Industrial Automation, said: “It’s great to have Martyn on board as Chair, I look forward to working with him in the future on issues such as the skills gap within our industry.

“I’d like to also thank Simon for his service on the Council, he has been a brilliant Chair helping to lead the council to better engagement over the past three years.”

For more information about GAMBICA’s work within the Industrial Automation sector, click here.