University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre appoints permanent CEO

16th February 2026

Professor Ben Morgan has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), following a successful term as Interim CEO.

Professor Ben Morgan has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), following a successful term as Interim CEO.

Professor Morgan, who has been serving as Interim CEO since January 2025, will continue to build on the AMRC’s 25-year track record of success in bridging the gap between world-class research and industry to drive economic growth and create high-value jobs.

A mechanical engineer by background,  Professor Morgan has held several senior roles at the AMRC and led the delivery of a number of significant research and innovation programmes in aerospace and defence, as well as numerous automation and digital projects across the supply chain.

Congratulating Professor Morgan on the appointment, Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “Ben has played an important role in the AMRC and its achievements throughout much of its 25-year history. I am very pleased to confirm his appointment as permanent CEO to further build on the AMRC’s many successes.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Ben, collaborating with our many partners to turn world-leading research and innovation into tangible impact across the region, the UK and beyond.”

Professor Morgan said it is an honour to be appointed CEO of an organisation that has been such a significant part of his working life.

He said: “It’s been a huge privilege to be part of the AMRC’s transformational journey for the last 17 of its 25 years, and I’m honoured to be able to lead it into the next 25 years.

“My time as interim CEO has been incredibly rewarding, from welcoming and working with the government's Industrial Strategy, to delivering projects that strengthen the UK’s capabilities in aerospace, defence and nuclear energy.

“The UK manufacturing industry is in a time of generational opportunity. I feel incredibly lucky to be leading a team of individuals who will play a critical role, innovating with the manufacturing sector to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Guided by the UK’s 10 year Modern Industrial Strategy, Professor Morgan reiterated the AMRC’s commitment to working with colleagues across the AMRC, the University, and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to deliver impact to industry.

“It’s now up to us to lead that charge for change," said Professor Morgan.

“Within the wider ecosystem of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and University of Sheffield, the AMRC is ready to move forwards, together; the future of innovation is through collaboration.

“2026 is set to be an enormous year for us, between celebrating our 25th anniversary, opening our Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) facility, and setting out our key strategic objectives to ensure the AMRC is having the greatest impact possible on the future of UK manufacturing.

“The AMRC’s legacy, built on the site of the former Orgreave coking plant, is an extraordinary foundation that we all have the privilege of building upon - pushing boundaries, challenging conventions, and delivering solutions that matter.”

Professor Morgan began his career at the AMRC as a project engineer in 2009. He went on to become a senior robotics engineer and then automation projects manager before taking on  senior posts as Head of the Integrated Manufacturing Group at the AMRC’s flagship Factory 2050. There, he led a team of more than 70 engineers carrying out transformative research for the UK manufacturing industry. Prior to becoming the Interim CEO, Professor Morgan served as Research Director, a role he held for more than five years. In 2022, he was appointed a Professor of Innovation.

Learn more about how independent thinking and shared ambition drive the University’s vision for a better future at: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ambition