Automate UK has appointed Steve Jones as its new chairman, with a remit to build on the organisation’s recent growth and strengthen engagement across the UK automation, robotics and vision sectors.
Mr Jones, who has served on the association’s board as a non-executive director since 2021 with responsibility for marketing and communications strategy, succeeds James Causebrook and takes up the role with immediate effect. He will work alongside chief executive Dan Thombs, chief operating officer Scott McKenna and policy director Peter Williamson as the organisation continues to expand its influence within UK manufacturing and automation.
Well-known within the industry as marketing director at Ishida Europe, Mr Jones played a key role in the rebranding of the former PPMA Group of Associations into Automate UK, a move designed to better reflect the breadth of the automation sector and the needs of its members.
Speaking about his appointment, Mr Jones said his priority would be to ensure the association remains relevant while continuing to deliver tangible value to members.
He said: “My involvement with the organisation dates back to when it was the PPMA group of associations. We subsequently undertook a full refresh of the brand to make it more relevant and to encapsulate the complete agenda for the industry. That transition into Automate UK saw us create a big opportunity for our members, and our commitment now revolves around delivering value for them, giving them a bigger voice and lobbying to bring their key issues and concerns to the government’s attention.”
Mr Jones believes the future success of the organisation will be built around strengthening its sense of community while continuing to evolve in line with the needs of an increasingly dynamic automation sector.
“This is a progressive organisation and while we have widened our reach and gained more engagement, our ambition is to go beyond that,” he said. “The key to doing that is reinvention, relevance and community and my role will be to extend that value, reconnect with members and create a sense of community.”
A major focus during his tenure will be improving direct communication with members and ensuring they fully utilise the services, resources and opportunities available through the association.
“The work we have done over the past four years has opened the door to a wealth of opportunity and it is now up to us to make sure that our members walk through that door,” Mr Jones said.
As part of that effort, he plans to increase direct engagement through site visits and member meetings, using feedback from businesses to help shape the future direction of the association and identify new areas of support.
Mr Jones also underlined the importance of developing skills and attracting new talent into manufacturing and automation. He highlighted the organisation’s Automate BEST apprenticeship programme and its recently launched Apprenticeship Cluster initiative, both aimed at tackling skills shortages across engineering and manufacturing.
“Automate UK is known for its commitment to developing and retaining talent,” he said. “While these programmes provide support, training and funding to inspire young people to enter the workforce, develop their skills and create the next generation of engineers, we should use our collective industry experience to enhance the value that we deliver as an organisation and to shape the future of the automation arena.”
Outgoing chairman James Causebrook welcomed the appointment, describing Mr Jones as the ideal candidate to continue the organisation’s recent transformation.
“For me, this was a very easy decision,” he said. “Steve has been the engine behind the transformation we've delivered through our rebrand and has also been the person who truly understood the depth and detail of what that change would require.
“It is important to me that the continuity of that change continues, and Steve is the perfect person to help lead that journey.”
Although stepping down, Mr Causebrook will remain on the Automate UK board until 2028 and will host the association’s Chairman’s Lunch in December before formally handing over the role. The organisation said the move ensures continuity as it continues its development and seeks to expand support for members across the automation, robotics and processing industries.
Pic: Steve Jones, the new Chair at Automate UK