Industry Panel

Martin Hurworth is CEO of Bytronic, a UK-based global leader in vision-based automation. He began his career designing headlamps for the automotive industry before moving into early 3D printing - developing a deep understanding of how emerging technologies can reshape manufacturing.

From there, Martin moved through a range of commercial and engineering scale-up roles, where he focused on improving operations through better use of technology—simplifying systems, increasing efficiency, and delivering measurable results on the factory floor. With an engineering background and a career rooted in real-world problem-solving, Martin is passionate about making automation smarter, faster—and crucially, more affordable.

He is especially focused on tackling one of the industry's biggest challenges: accessibility. While most adopters of automation are still large global businesses - with the budgets and technical teams to make it work - many small and mid-sized enterprises remain locked out. Martin’s mission is to break down those barriers, partnering across sectors to rethink what’s possible when technology meets practical delivery.

IT Manager at Stewart-Buchanan Gauges Ltd. In this role, Jim leads digital transformation across manufacturing operations, encompassing ERP migration, cloud infrastructure, and enabling a hybrid work environment. With over 15 years of IT management experience spanning construction, manufacturing, engineering, and financial services, he brings hands-on expertise in developing secure, scalable systems. He is currently driving Cyber Essentials+ and ISO 27001 certification initiatives. 

Roger Thornton is Director of Applications Engineering at Raspberry Pi where his team helps customers take advantage of the low-cost, high-performance computing products designed by Raspberry Pi. Previously working as a hardware design engineer, he has designed several iterations of the iconic Raspberry Pi Computer, acknowledged as the UK's best-selling computer of all time. 

With a diverse background in Manufacturing Excellence, Productivity, and the Built Environment, Matthew is a dynamic leader focused on driving operational efficiency and technological innovation. His career is defined by a passion for transforming manufacturing through digital integration, strategic thinking, and practical execution.

Specialising in Digital Automation, Robotics, and solution design, he delivers lasting transformations for clients that enhance efficiency, quality, and scalability. With foundations in CNC operation and robotic fabrication, Matthew combines technical expertise with creative problem-solving to bridge precision engineering and innovation.