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Go behind the scenes of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’s (AMRC) newest R&D facility to discover how to navigate stakeholder complexity in government-funded programmes.

The COMPASS (Composites at Speed and Scale) facility builds on the AMRC’s world-class composites and automation capabilities, providing a unique, open access facility to develop, demonstrate and test automated composite manufacturing technologies.  The first ground-breaking research programme to be delivered in the facility is underway.  The IHSS project, led by Boeing, looks to develop and test new technologies needed to meet future demand for lighter commercial aircraft.

Why join us in person?

• Go Behind the Scenes: Tour the new COMPASS facility and see the engineering infrastructure first-hand.

• Real-World Stakeholder Management: Learn how we managed shifting technology requirements alongside complex funding frameworks.

• Peer Networking: Connect face-to-face with fellow project professionals.

Organiser:  APM Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Network

CPD:  2.00

Ticket prices:

Student member: Free

Associate member: Free

Member: Free

Non-member: £20

Corporate Partner/Affiliate employee: £10

Agenda - delete / edit

Programme subject to change

17:45 – Registration

18:00 – Presentation

19:15 – Refreshments and Networking

20:00 – Close

Join the AMRC COMPASS project management team for an exclusive insight into the delivery of the ground-breaking COMPASS programme. The event lifts the curtain on the design, delivery, and commissioning of our newest world-class research facility.

Managing a government-funded programme in a high-tech research environment presents a unique set of challenges. Technical requirements shift, government funding brings strict compliance, and stakeholders span from high-level policymakers and commercial organisations to hands-on engineers.

Delivering a world-class R&D facility requires more than just managing timelines and budgets. It demands balancing strict government compliance with the fluid, evolving needs of academic researchers and industrial partners.

This event offers a rare, honest look at the stakeholder management and project management methodologies that kept the COMPASS programme on track.  You will hear directly from the delivery team, network with fellow project professionals, and see the physical results of our project strategies first-hand.

Speakers:

Sarah Kilner - Senior Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Sarah Kilner (MAPM) is a highly experienced Project and Programme Manager with over 20 years of expertise in high-value project delivery. Transitioning from a foundational background in Mechanical Engineering Sarah has built a career managing diverse, complex projects. 

Sarah’s history with the COMPASS programme spans from its inception, where she successfully led the bid team to secure the funding. Following a brief gap in her involvement, Sarah has returned to actively manage the programme through its later execution phase. In this role, she coordinates all aspects of governance, maintains budgetary control, and dynamically mitigates risk to ensure the flawless on-time delivery of this world-class facility.

Dean Kilner - Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Dean is a Project Manager and has been at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre since 2022, working across multiple competencies including machining, casting, composites and automation. Dean currently leads the IHSS project, a multi-million pound collaborative grant funded project with Boeing and Loop Technology. IHSS will be the first project to use the COMPASS facility. Dean is also a volunteer for the Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire Network and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) stream lead. 

Harry Sadler - Senior Project Manager, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Harry is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer (CEng MIMechE) and a Member of the APM (MAPM) with over 20 years of experience delivering complex projects and programmes. 

Currently a Senior Project Manager at the AMRC, Harry is the project lead for HICOMS, the £23m capital delivery phase of the COMPASS programme, a 'first of its kind' UKR&I/ATI-funded open-access facility for composites and automation research. 

With a career spanning industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, operations and research-intensive environments, Harry combines rigorous technical governance with a specialised focus on the interpersonal dynamics, leadership, and behavioural competencies essential to project success.