Kelly Jones has been appointed as non-executive director to the board of
Sheffield Forgemasters. An experienced turnaround and transformation specialist, she has a proven track record in financial, operational and directorial roles for Rolls-Royce in China, the US, and Derby, as CEO at Rotary Power and Michell Bearings, and transformation director at Kingsgate consultancy firm.
Kelly joins Sheffield Forgemasters as the company ramps up delivery of a £1.3 billion recapitalisation programme, coupled with transformation of processes, culture, and plant, to support its primary role in UK Defence manufacture.
Sir Tim Fraser, chair at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We welcome Kelly to the role of non-executive director at Sheffield Forgemasters and look forward to working closely to deliver on the incredible transformation of the business as we move towards a very different manufacturing model.
Kelly’s background in transformation and restructuring for blue-chip and private enterprises on an international level will be invaluable as we look at amalgamating 250-years of skills and knowledge with state-of-the-art processes and facilities to position the business for future manufacturing.”
The Ministry of Defence-owned business, which is celebrating its 250-year anniversary, is building a new 13,000-tonne forging line at its Brightside site alongside a 30,000m² Machining Hall on the former William Jessop Brightside Steelworks site at Weedon Street.
Kelly Jones said: “This is a pivotal time to join such an iconic company as it faces the unique opportunities and challenges posed by large-scale transforming of its entire operating model and upskilling its talented workforce to capitalise on next generation technologies. I look forward to working with an exceptional leadership team in order to deliver this exciting new future for both the city and for UK manufacturing.”