Wendy Bennett, FICME, Managing Director
CEO and previous owner of Lost Wax Development Limited Wendy worked within the precision investment casting industry for 26 years.
First female to be awarded a Fellowship to the Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME) 2012 Current President of the ICME, West Midlands Branch
First female Chair of the Cast Metal Federation (CMF) 2015-2017
Represented the UK Foundry Industry at the International Foundry Forum, which was held in Dresden 2016 and organised jointly by CAEF (The European Foundry Association) and CEMAFON (The European Foundry Equipment Suppliers Association).
Metals Council 2015-2017; advising Government on the Industrial Strategy.
Invited to join the Council of “Made in the Midlands” as one of the only woman within the area who was involved in industry and who owned a precision investment casting facility.
The “Advanced Engineering Cluster” was to promote the use of Students and under Graduates for technical projects within the manufacturing sector, utilising the latest technologies available within the Universities.
Stephen Flether, Commercial Director
A career spanning over 45 years in a range of roles including Logistics/Transport management, Project management, Key Account management and Sales Business Development.
Worked on behalf of a range of manufacturing and service suppliers including Metal fabrication, Flexible packaging, Precision Engineering and Commercial Heat Treatment.
Has extensive experience in servicing an eclectic range of industrial sectors including Automotive, Agricultural, Aerospace, General Industrial (including tool making and precision engineering) and Defence across UK and Europe.
Has had a long term involvement in theatre (acting, producing, directing) and managing/facilitating creative media driven projects, awareness programmes and initiatives for the NHS and Schools, Sales Networking and Training with extensive experience in facilitating Corporate and Commercial projects too.
Passionate about promoting and supporting the Theatre and Creative Media sector including writing, live performance, independent film making and production. Creating awareness in and around this critically important industry.
Giving Back - supporting the transition of students in the move towards a career environment, allowing them access to as much information as to what is possible when they complete their studies, because anything is possible if you are supported by the right people.
Gary Rogers, Media Consultant
Gary has an expansive background in electronic and software engineering from his industry years, to later go into professional teaching. After 10 years working in secondary and SEBD schools Gary followed his true calling of working in film, setting up Country Star Productions and becoming a freelance Director of Photography.
Gary has now lensed over 20 feature films, many music videos, TV and corporate including Netflix productions.
Recent work includes a feature film staring Jason Flemyng, Bruce Payne and Scott Wright called 'The Stoic' and working with legend of TV, John Altman, AKA Nasty Nick from Eastenders fame.
Gary has experience in setting up a number of film festivals and is now turning his attention to making the artistic capital of the country, Stratford Upon Avon, into a major showcase for the arts through the Stratford On Avon Film Festival and in Birmingham the Birmingham Horror Film Festival & Convention.
Gregg Hobbs, Actor/Writer/Producer
Following an earlier career in the RAF I subsequently studied Drama and Theatre Arts at Birmingham University, focusing on acting and dramatic writing - Graduating in 1994 with a BA Honours degree.
Besides experience as a Drama Lecturer and Acting Coach in Further Education and for the National Theatre, I have also worked as a visiting lecturer in the prison system, working with young offenders.
Fifteen years’ experience in the simulated patient and medical role play field, developing effective communication within a clinical setting. This also includes ten years’ experience as an Associate Clinical Educator, trained to give real time focused feedback and guidance in all the body systems examinations with a particular focus on orthopaedics. This training has been delivered to Medical School undergraduates, Physician Associates, Doctors, Nurses, Independent Prescribers, Registrars and Pharmacists. This training is given in a variety of settings, such as Universities, Hospitals and GP Surgeries.
I am a working actor and writer for over thirty years’ experience - this remains my first love and motivation. This has led to a career in Film, Theatre, TV, Radio and all forms of applied drama such as role play in the corporate, legal, manufacturing, and energy sectors, with a focus on management training. I have also provided role play to the Police and Fire Service.
Kevin Smith, Additive Digital Foundry Specialist
Kevin is a seasoned patternmaker and foundry specialist with a career spanning traditional steel foundry work to pioneering digital transformation in casting. After completing a four-year City & Guilds apprenticeship at North Herts College, Kevin advanced through technical and leadership roles, eventually becoming a Director. His work has focused on integrating 3D printing into sand and investment casting processes, holding positions such as Global Applications Director at Voxeljet and Managing Director of Global TCT Ltd.
Kevin has led international projects, consulted on additive manufacturing for foundries, and contributed to the development of printers for series production. In recent years, he has specialised in market development for production 3D printing in sand, producing case studies that demonstrate sustainability and cost savings across the supply chain. As an industry digital change maker, Kevin is committed to achieving “One mould – One casting – zero defects – Each time, Every time,” and is currently building the first digitally led, sustainable foundry of the future.