Bob Gibbon appointed Managing Director of the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing

16 April 2007: Bob Gibbon, a chartered engineer, began his career with TI Group, where he rose to the position of Managing Director of engineering manufacturer John Crane UK Ltd and later became Managing Director of John Crane’s European operations. He went on to spearhead the McKechnie Group’s transformation from holding company to specialist engineering organisation and thereafter held the position of Group Executive Director and Chief Executive of the Group’s Aerospace Division.

Bob has taken on the role of Managing Director at the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing after spending two years running his own consultancy, working with small and medium-sized businesses to implement strategic performance improvement.

Announcing his appointment, Semta Chief Executive, Philip Whiteman, said:

“Bob’s background and experience make him well suited to leading the new National Skills Academy for Manufacturing. I am looking forward to working with him to transform the quality of the training delivered to manufacturing companies.”

The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing was launched on 25 January by Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling and is part of a network of National Skills Academies funded by the Learning and Skills Council and designed to meet the needs of employers.