Margaret Wood — the founder of Wakefield-based window company ICW (UK)(www.icwukltd.co.uk) and a former regional chairman of the Institute of Directors — has been appointed as a non-executive director of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which supports the application of new technologies through the development of manufacturing processes.

She is one of five new appointments to the HVMC board, along with Stephen Burgess, Mary Champion, Allan Cook and Andy Neely.

Mrs Wood said: “As a scientist and an active member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, I am delighted to join the board.

"As a niche manufacturer, I hope to be able to give a voice to other small and-medium-size enterprises in the technical sector that are keen to scale up their developments to benefit society.”

Welcoming the five appointments, HVMC chairman Bob Gilbert said: “I am delighted to welcome such a strong group of people to the board. They bring both industrial experience and financial acumen.”

The High Value Manufacturing Catapult brings together seven institutions to support UK manufacturing in the commercialisation of technologies.