International Trade and Innovation Specialist Joins as an IN4.0 Fellow

IN4.0 PLC is delighted to announce that Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE FRSA has been appointed as an IN4.0 Fellow and will support the IN4.0 ACCESS accelerator programme.

IN4.0 ACCESS, an intensive three-month programme starting in April 2019, is accessible to businesses from across the region through its three hubs, The Landing in Salford, Sensor City in Liverpool and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) in Preston.

The programme is sponsored by BAE Systems, NatWest and UCLan and will run several times throughout the year. It incorporates physical events, including three immersive learning events with live demonstrations and practical workshops, and a university accredited module.

IN4.0 Fellows are experts in their respective fields and are carefully selected due to their commitment to making positive change through innovation and leadership.

Dr Marilyn Comrie is an award winning serial entrepreneur, international trade & innovation specialist and strategist working in the area of advanced manufacturing and zero emission vehicle technologies.

Author of an Innovate UK funded study titled ‘Growing the Industry 4.0 Capability of SMEs’, Marilyn is working collaboratively with key stakeholders in Greater Manchester to develop plans for an advanced manufacturing super centre. The aim is to increase take up of Industry 4.0 technologies by SMEs to boost productivity and profitability as well as training, upskilling and reskilling the workforce that will be needed.

Marilyn was honoured by HRH the Queen in 2009 with an OBE for services to women’s enterprise. She was also awarded the prestigious Kofi Annan African Leadership Excellence Award as well as an honorary doctorate by Birmingham University in 2018.

Marilyn’s expertise is in the field of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Additive Manufacturing, commonly referred to as 3D printing for rapid prototyping. She works with people of all backgrounds to advance their skills, confidence and the ability to innovate and create new products that bring their ideas to life.

Dr Marilyn Comrie said: “IN4.0 ACCESS is a venture that has been designed by SMEs for SMEs. This intimate insider understanding of the competing challenges and budgetary pressures that the leaders of manufacturing SMEs face when adopting or integrating new technologies with legacy systems gives IN4.0 PLC an important edge. “

“Factory days, which give business owner/managers the opportunity to get hands on and test out affordable equipment themselves to better understand which ones offer the best fit, coupled with access to investors to help them scale and grow is undoubtedly a winning formula!”

Mo Isap, founder and CEO of IN4.0 PLC said: “I’m delighted that Marilyn is joining us as an IN4.0 Fellow. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Marilyn for many years and have witnessed her passion for bringing prosperity to our region”.