Arago has attracted a core team with outstanding experience and skills in Electric and Electronic Engineering, Composite manufacturing and design.
You can read about the Arago Technology team below with a brief synopsis of our experience providing Arago Technology with a highly skilled, technology focussed group. If you would like further information, please do not hesistate to contact Arago Technology here.
Ian Cotton
Ian Cotton is a Reader in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He specialises in the design of power system plant and leads the University relationship with National Grid (including the operation of the National Grid Power Systems Research Centre at Manchester). Other work includes the design of lightning protection systems for wind turbines, the operation of high voltage systems in aircraft and the elimination of SF6 gas from transmission substations. He is a Chartered Engineer, member of the IET and a Senior Member of the IEEE
Simon Rowland
Simon Rowland has been in the University of Manchester, Electrical Energy and Power Systems Group since 2003 and was appointed Professor of Electrical Materials in 2009. He is also Director of Teaching and Learning for the School. Simon worked in manufacturing industry for the previous 20 years and joined Manchester from a multinational cable systems company where he worked both as a Director of Operations and Technology. Prof Rowland’s interests concern ageing of dielectrics and asset management. He is a Fellow of the IET, a Chartered Engineer and is a Vice President of the IEEE Dielectric and Electrical Insulation Society.
Konstantinos Kopsidas
Konstantinos Kopsidas has been a Researcher in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering since 2006, with primary interest in the area of evaluation of overhead line system performance and identifying opportunities for efficient power transfer. He received his Higher Technological Education degree in Electrical Engineering from the Institute of Piraeus (Athens, 2002) and a Class I BEng (Hons) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from UMIST (2004). He was then awarded his MSc (2005) with distinction and PhD (2009) in Electrical Power Engineering at The University of Manchester. During his studies in Manchester, he was awarded the Scottish Power ‘Power Learning Award’ as well as the UMIST Electrical & Electronic Engineering prize twice.
Gerry Boyce
Gerry Boyce is the Managing Director of EPL Composite Solutions Ltd. He has a BSc in Metallurgy and Materials Science and an MSc in Polymer Technology. Gerry set up EPL Composite Solutions Ltd in 1992 and specialises in the research, development and commercialisation of composite process and applications. He is currently the director of 3 spin-off businesses specialising in pipeline refurbishment, crash friendly sign posts and lightweight panels
Dr Nick Weatherby
Dr Nick Weatherby is the Technical Director of EPL Composite Solutions Ltd. Nick began his career in manufacturing working in a series of industrial sectors including textiles, Elastomer processing and all aspects of Composite design and Manufacture. After 15 years in Manufacturing he joined EPL in 1994 where he heads technical development of Composite processes and applications. He is currently a director of 2 spin off companies specialising in pipeline refurbishment and lightweight panels.
David Chambers
David Chambers joined EPL in 2003 as a Composites Design Engineer, and was appointed as Head of Structures and Testing in 2008. During his time with EPL, David has led the technical development of a wide range of research projects, focused mainly within the transmission and infrastructure sector. Examples of these projects include the development of a range of modular, filament wound composite utility poles for electrical distribution, and a novel manufacturing process for lightweight composite sandwich panels as a substitute for plywood. Working largely on EPL’s commercial contracts, David has expertise in a wide range of fields spanning project initiation and development, technical feasibilities, composites design and structural engineering.
Matt Thorne
Matthew Thorne joined EPL in 2008 as a Project Design Engineer. His primary role is the design and manufacture of testing equipment along with supporting the research and development activities of the company. His experience in 3D design work and the production of technical drawings for part manufacture has allowed him to make significant contributions across a wide range of projects.
Frank Allison
Frank has spent over 6 years working for University of Manchester Intellectual Property Ltd, with responsibility for managing a portfolio of early stage ventures. His success includes the securing and managing of multiple cleantech investments in early stage start-ups as well as taking technologies through to global products.
Frank has also significant experience working in the UK steel industry and as an engineer / project manager, in the US, responsible for managing a team which developed and manufactured forged super alloy products for the space and aerospace industry.