Steve is a member of the LUMS Research Centre for Productivity and Efficiency. His industry background in  process improvement and operational excellence has led to his particular interest in business transformation via the deployment of technology.  His recent research projects have included an investigation into manufacturing strategy alignment in SMEs and the modelling of effective Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) systems.  He is currently researching the impact of open innovation on an organisation’s competitive capabilities and is exploring the implications of digitalisation and Industry 4.0 for the responsible leadership of an organisation

1980-1984:           British Aerospace Military Aircraft Division, Warton, Lancashire

Position: Student Apprentice (Mechanical Engineering)

1984-1986:          UMIST/IMI Bailey Birkett Ltd Teaching Company Programme

Position: Teaching Company Associate

Company Description: A division of IMI that manufactured ferrous and non-ferrous valves

1986-1988:           John Cotton (Colne) Ltd, Colne, Lancashire

Position: Quality Engineer

Company Description: a £20M turnover company that manufactured interior trim and NVH components for the automotive industry.

1988-1990:           Price Waterhouse, Manchester

Position: Management Consultant, Manufacturing Division

Company Description: An autonomous unit within the Manufacturing and Human Resources consulting divisions of Price Waterhouse

1990-1993:           AE Piston Products Ltd, Bradford, UK

Position: Group QA Manager

Company Description: A £120M turnover division of T&N.  A manufacturer of pistons, piston rings and piston pins for the automotive industry.  Eight facilities in the UK with affiliates in North America, France, Italy, India and South Korea.

1993-1999:           Arvin Exhaust, Roermond, The Netherlands

Position:  Director, Quality and Manufacturing Systems, Europe.    

Company description: A $1200M turnover division of Arvin Industries.  A global supplier of automotive exhaust systems and catalytic converters. 

1999-2002:           UMIST/Pilkington plc Engineering Doctorate Programme

Position: Research Engineer

Company Description: The manufacture, assembly and distribution of glass products for the automotive and construction industries.

Academic Experience

2002-2012:           The University of Manchester   

Position: Director of the Manchester Engineering Doctorate Centre

Department: The Manchester Engineering Doctorate Centre, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (40% time allocation until 31.12.05)

Position: Lecturer in Operations Management and Logistics

School:   Manchester Business School (60% time allocation until 31.12.05, subsequently 100%)

2012-      :             Lancaster University

Position: Senior Teaching Fellow/Senior Lecturer

School:   Lancaster University Management School

1981-1984:           Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London

BSc(Eng)Hons in Mechanical Engineering, Class II:i

1984-1986:           UMIST

Diploma in Management Sciences

MSc by research, thesis title: “Quality Management: a study of tools and techniques in an industrial valve manufacturer” (Awarded 1988)

1999-2002:           UMIST

Postgraduate Diploma in Management Science, Class I (Awarded 2001)

Engineering Doctorate, thesis title: “Operations Cash Flow Modelling to Support Management Decisions” (Awarded 2004)

2002:     Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Chartered Engineer, Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 

2003:     Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

2004:                    UMIST

Certificate of Academic Practice, Distinction.

2017:     Lancaster University

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy