Skills academy appointment

A Chartered Engineer, Gibbon began his career with TI Group, where his roles included MD of engineering manufacturer John Crane, first in the UK and later heading the European operation. He went on to spearhead the McKechnie Group’s transformation from holding company to specialist engineering organisation and thereafter headed the group’s aerospace division. Gibbon is a visiting professor at Brunel University’s school of engineering and design, and for the last two years he has run his own consultancy, working with SMEs to implement strategic performance improvement. SEMTA chief executive Philip Whiteman says: “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.”