our team

David Taitt (Chairman of Hethel Engineering Centre)
 
David has 30 years engineering experience in engine research and development with Lucas CAV (now Delphi Diesel Systems), Ford (Dunton) and Lotus, at all levels from development engineer to engineering director. Major achievements include leading the development of the Opel Family-1 16-valve engine, the establishment of Lotus Engineering operations in Detroit and Kuala Lumpur and the realisation of Hethel Engineering Centre as a national centre of excellence for advanced engineering and manufacturing and low-carbon vehicle technology.

Currently working as an independent engineering consultant, researching for a PhD in applied thermofluids at Loughborough University and holding the position of Chairman of Hethel Engineering Centre in Norfolk, UK.

Simon Coward (Managing Director of Innovation & Enterprise Hubs)

Simon started out as a graduate Chemical Engineer designing, commissioning and managing chemical plants in the UK and abroad working for such companies as Shell and BNFL. Following completion of the Fellowship in Manufacturing Management at Cranfield University, Simon took up manufacturing management roles in a variety of businesses. Before his current role, Simon managed a manufacturing site supplying the automotive sector including Nissan, Toyota, BMW, Honda, Jaguar and Land Rover.

As Managing Director of Innovation & Enterprise Hubs for Norfolk County Council Simon manages the enterprise hubs Hethel Engineering Centre (HEC) for the advanced engineering & manufacturing sector, and EPIC for the creative digital sector, both focused on growing the knowledge economy through collaborative innovation, sector focused economic development and business demand driven skills training.

Stuart Catchpole (Innovation Manager) 
 
Stuart is a graduate in Business Management from University of East Anglia. In his early career Stuart was a teacher, manging business, economics, enterprise and work related learning subjects as departmental and whole school initiative. Following this he worked for Norfolk Network as their Enterprise Education Manager bringing together industry with education through content authoring , facilitating and managing events and activities. In this role he also ran various Open Innovations events and activities.

Then Stuart went onto setup a training business developing people in the Oil & Gas Industry and Defence Sector. Most recently Stuart has undertaken the role of Employer Partnership Consultant managing customer accounts and developing new business opportunities.

As Innovation Manager, Stuart leads HEC's business support and innovation programs.

Sally Harradence (Centre Manager)
  
Sally has undertaken the role of Centre Manager of HEC since its startup in 2006. Since opening Sally has built up strong relationships with tenants, and focused on delivering first class customer service in such areas as conferencing and catering.

Sally manages the day to day finances, operation and maintenance of HEC and in 2010 achieved 100% occupancy. Since then Sally has overseen the construction of a 10,000 sq ft extension of 12 incubators that was fully occupied within 3 months.

As well as ensuring HEC finances are well tracked Sally also identifies opportunities to cut costs and increase revenues / margins.