Aamir Khalid has worked at TWI for the past 20 years. He obtained an Applied Physics degree from University College London, a Masters and PhD in NDT from Brunel and Cranfield Universities and later an MBA from London South Bank University. Aamir spent several years in industry before joining TWI as NDT section manager, specialising in applying robotics to non-destructive testing. From here, he progressed to lead the company’s non-destructive testing technology group in 2004 and became TWI Technology Director in 2010.
Aamir’s recent focus has been on creating new opportunities for TWI Industrial Members through national and international collaborations, and in developing key areas of TWI’s technology and training businesses in the UK and overseas. He also has responsibility for TWI’s public and collaborative funding office and in the past five years has overseen the winning of over £500m of R&D funding for TWI, its members and its partner universities.
In 2012 he launched the Structural Integrity Research Foundation (SIRF), a knowledge transfer platform for technical excellence in structural integrity, alongside BP and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation. Through SIRF he has been able to deliver the National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC) with its aims of generating research outcomes to meet Member needs and at the same time placing 550 workplace experienced postgraduate students into industry. His work to create TWI’s Innovation Network has resulted in ten Innovation Centre partnerships, 24 Accelerated Innovation Programmes and four Private Technology Innovation Partnerships.
Outside TWI, Aamir is currently Chair of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board. He has been a former Director of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (part of the government’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult), and is currently an Associate Professor at Brunel University London.
Speaking about his new role, Aamir said, ‘It is a privilege to be selected and to have the opportunity to build on the company’s respected worldwide reputation. Our 70-year history as a centre for welding and joining excellence and innovation, our strong links with industry and the commitment of our people are what makes TWI an outstanding organisation to work for. I will be proud to continue the work of my predecessors to deliver the best possible benefits for our members and customers.’
For more information, please contact us.