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AMF Team

Our Team

Guiding the future of North East manufacturing.

Our Board brings together senior leaders from across business, and industry — each committed to shaping the Forum’s strategic direction and ensuring AMF continues to connect, inspire, and drive innovation across the manufacturing community.

Richard Swart DL

AMF Chair - CEO of AspireX Business Consulting

Richard is a respected business leader with over 37 years’ experience in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Richard retired as CEO of Berger Closures UK, in September 2024, previously serving as Berger Group Global Sales Director until December 2022. In February 2023, Richard was appointed a Visiting Professor in the Business & Law Department at Northumbria University. He is now CEO of AspireX Business Consulting, advising and mentoring individuals, businesses, and organisations across the UK and abroad.

As Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF), Richard brings a wealth of experience, insight, and regional pride—championing innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth across the North East’s advanced manufacturing community. He also works closely with multiple universities, supporting the development of future talent and strengthening links between education and industry.

Richard serves as one of His Majesty's Deputy Lord Lieutenants for County Durham.

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Rachel Mansfield

AMF Vice Chair

Rachel is a Chartered Chemical Engineer and MBA-qualified leader with over 20 years of global operational and strategic leadership experience across the oil and gas and heavy manufacturing industries.

As Vice Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) and Co-Lead of its WOMEN initiative, Rachel brings a transformative and inclusive leadership approach—championing diversity, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration to strengthen the UK’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

Her global perspective and diverse industry background enable the AMF to view its future through a broader, more progressive lens—one focused on diversity, transformation, and strengthening connections across manufacturing, engineering, service, and supply chain communities.

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Alan Metcalfe

AMF Vice Chair - Commercial Director, Zenith People

Alan is Commercial Director of recruitment company Zenith People and Zenith Training and works with and advises many of the North East's leading manufacturing companies whether global organisations or SMEs, carrying out large recruitment drives as well as advising on HR, skills, and training issues common to a lot of manufacturing businesses. Zenith Training is a sister company specialising in H&S and other training. Alan is also Vice Chair of the AMF and is keen to support all members not only with their recruitment and training needs but also on general business advice and of course collaboration.

Alan is also Chair of the South Tyneside committee of the North East Chamber of Commerce and is well connected to help with business introductions and networking. Originally an Engineer with Siemens, Alan’s passion are Engineering and Manufacturing, North East business as a whole and ensuring young people in particular get the right careers advice in choosing careers.

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Arthur Hodgson

AMF Forum Manager

Arthur leads on the day-to-day operations of AMF, and steering its strategic direction. With first-hand experience in the manufacturing sector and a background working with leading North East organisations including Nissan, Arriva Ford, The Mussel Club, and the North East Chamber of Commerce, he brings a unique understanding of business growth, partnership building, and member engagement.

Working closely with the AMF Board and strategic partners, Arthur focuses on delivering value for members, strengthening collaboration across the region, and driving innovation within the North East’s advanced manufacturing community. Known for his creativity, energy, and enthusiasm, Arthur ensures AMF’s work is as engaging and forward-thinking as the sector it represents.

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Jamie Gamble

AMF Board Member - Partner, Ward Hadaway

Jamie Gamble, Partner at law firm Ward Hadaway, specialises in employment law and provides advice to a wide range of clients, including many involved within the manufacturing industry. His experience includes acting for a major car manufacturer on the outsourcing of logistics and call centre operations and acting for a European manufacturer on the restructure of its UK senior management team following its purchase of the UK company. Jamie regularly shares his expertise on employment, HR, and staffing issues in the manufacturing sector for AMF members.

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Alastair Wilson

AMF Board Member - Corporate Tax Partner at UNW LLP

Alastair is a Corporate Tax Partner at UNW LLP with more than 25 years’ experience advising businesses across a wide range of sectors. A passionate advocate for using technology to enhance efficiency and insight, he is both a tax technology enthusiast and investor. Alastair brings strategic, financial, and governance expertise to the AMF board, helping shape the Forum’s sustainable growth and innovation agenda.

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Brian Tait

AMF Board Member - Operations Director; HVR International

Brian is Operations Director at HVR International, where he oversees manufacturing performance, quality, and operational strategy. With extensive experience in driving process improvement and team development, he has played a key role in strengthening production capability and customer delivery. As an AMF board member, Brian brings practical industry insight and a commitment to advancing excellence across the North East’s manufacturing sector.

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Peter Shiels

AMF Board Member - Director, Phoenix Steel

Peter is Director of Phoenix Steel, a role in which he implements modern manufacturing techniques to help expand the business.

Peter has previously served a craft apprenticeship in Gateshead manufacturing power generation systems for the nuclear power industry, as well as holding various manufacturing roles, and working at Nissan in a QA role for almost 20 years.

Rachel Skeoch

AMF Board Member - Director at True North

CIM accredited with 10 years of industry insight, Rachel is a specialist B2B Marketing Consultant with a wealth of experience from start ups and scale ups to global FTSE 250 firms. Having worked in house managing marketing and communication strategies for some of the region's leading engineering and manufacturing brands, she holds a Masters Degree in International Politics and is a keen advocate for boosting the competitiveness of the north east business community on a national scale.

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Tom Coverdale

AMF Board Member - Head of Design & Development; Ebac

Tom leads the engineering and product development teams at Ebac, steering the company’s innovation strategy and bringing new designs from concept to market. With a proven track record in managing cross-functional teams, design for manufacturability, and delivering scalable technical solutions, he adds a strong product vision and hands-on engineering insight to the AMF board.

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James English

AMF Board Member

James is Managing Director of Worr Ltd, where he leads a team specialising in precision engineering and manufacturing solutions. With a strong focus on quality, innovation, and customer partnership, he has built Worr into a trusted name within the region’s supply chain. James brings hands-on industry knowledge and a passion for developing North East manufacturing to the AMF board.

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HOW WE CAN HELP

Connecting manufacturers and providing support to drive collaboration.

The AMF provides an extensive range of benefits, insightful events, and exclusive opportunities to support our members in growing and developing their businesses.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Our events provide expert insights, practical tips and advice on specialised areas

From our Monthly Meetings to our Focused Forums, each of our events sees guest speakers share their real-life experiences and first-hand knowledge of the things that effect your business. With networking and Q&As, our events allow you to connect with and learn from leading industry experts.

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18/02/2026

12:00 pm

Monthly Meeting

AMF Site Visit: Grundfos Manufacturing (Sunderland)

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18/03/2026

12:00 pm

Monthly Meeting

AMF Site Visit to Kasai UK, Washington

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