CFMS appoints former Innovate chief Gray as chairman
3 Jul 2019
Digital engineering specialist the Centre for Modelling and Simulation (CFMS) has appointed the former chief executive of Innovate UK professor Iain Gray as its chairman.
Currently director of Aerospace at Cranfield University, Gray has previously been employed in roles at BAE Systems and Airbus.
His appointment is intended to drive the company’s drive for recognition as the independent digital test bed for the creation of high value engineering products and processes.
Announcing the news, CFMS chief operating officer Sam Paice said: “This is a very exciting time for CFMS. Iain’s appointment will further strengthen the CFMS vision of supporting the growth of industrial digitalisation across UK industry.
“This is testament to our commitment to grow and deliver strong value to organisations and drive forward the UK’s HVD [high value design] capabilities.”
In addition to his Cranfield and Innovate UK roles, Gray is also a board member of both the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies and the Energy Technologies Institute. In the 2014 New Year’s Honours list, he was awarded a CBE for his contribution to innovation, science and technology.
Commenting on the announcement Gray stated: “I have followed the progress of CFMS since its inception, and it is a great honour to serve as chairman as the company moves forward with its capabilities to play a lead role in advancing HVD across the UK.”
The Bristol-based CFMS’s work is focused on four core services – data science, advanced simulation, model-based engineering, and engineering computing services – for manufacturers across sectors including energy, with the aim of accelerating design, productivity and competitiveness.
