The regional development director for the University of Sheffield AMRC, Professor Richard Scaife, is stepping down this month after more than 17 years of dedicated service – having played a vital role in delivering major projects with leading industry partners including McLaren Automotive and Boeing.

Richard's journey at the AMRC began in 2008 when he joined as the head of the then newly-formed Composites Centre at its Rotherham site.

He was tasked with commercialising its composites capabilities, building the activity from scratch and forming vital collaborative relationships. In this role, Richard successfully secured crucial funding for equipment and staff, and over the years, his work helped establish the composites team as a leading force in the UK's composites market.

In 2020, Richard was appointed as director for regional development to manage the national and international development of the AMRC's network of centres, working with industry and regional authorities to enhance productivity and inward investment as part of UK government ambitions to build regional investment. 

Reflecting on his journey, Richard said: "My time at the AMRC has been a tremendous opportunity to be a part of something that has truly made an impact. I am incredibly proud of everything we've accomplished, from the major projects we've delivered to helping create a pipeline of skilled people for the future. 

“The people here are what make this a remarkable institution, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated, talented and creative minds. While I'm transitioning into a new phase in my life, my interest in the AMRC's success will not change. I’ll always be in the corner for the organisation and will be at the end of the phone to provide support wherever required."

In his time at the AMRC, he championed several key projects, including the collaborative programme with McLaren Automotive, which led to the establishment of the company's first purpose-built facility outside its Woking campus - close to the AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham - and a reshoring of the manufacturing of car chassis. In 2023 he became a professor of manufacturing technology.

Richard, who became a professor of manufacturing technology in 2023, said: "As you drive into work every morning, you see the McLaren Automotive’s Composites Technology Centre in Rotherham —that will always be a source of pride for me.”

Ben Morgan, interim CEO at the AMRC, said Richard will be hugely missed and has been integral to the organisation’s success.

"Rich has been more than a director at the AMRC; he's been a real father figure, guiding us through our evolution – from putting the AMRC’s composites capability on the map to developing the McLaren Automotive partnership and the foundations of COMPASS,” said Ben. 

“He has been an integral part of our journey and his influence is visible in so many of our successes. I’ve personally learned so much from his leadership and advice over the years: his dedication, his kindness, his vision, his belief in what we could achieve for this region and most importantly, his resilience to ‘get back up again’ following a set-back It has had a widespread influence on many at the AMRC.

“While we'll miss his presence, we're incredibly grateful for his immense contribution in building the bedrock of what the AMRC is today and what it can do tomorrow.”

One of Richard’s many career highlights was helping to secure the AMRC’s largest ever collaborative research and development programme, Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS). It is a globally relevant, nationally significant programme of works to explore methods for producing large wing structures for future single aisle aircraft which is a critical cornerstone of the UK’s future aerospace sector.  The research project could have gone to the US, Germany or Japan, but it came to the AMRC in South Yorkshire because of the AMRC team, the technical capabilities and the regional partnerships.

With the new innovation facility now on the track to be opened in early 2026, Richard reflected on the long-term effort to get here. He said: “The secret of our overnight success was the 15 years of work that went in beforehand. The project demonstrated our credibility, dedication and willingness to take risks – a true team effort to build something that will have such a long-standing impact on the industry, region and the UK.” 

So what drew Richard to the AMRC in the first place? For him, it was always about making a meaningful impact.

 "When I was a recent graduate, this region was a wasteland as far as manufacturing and engineering jobs went,” he explained.  “I wanted to be in a position where I could help ensure there would be opportunities for the next generation in the region, so they wouldn’t have to move out to find a meaningful job. I wanted to make a tangible impact on the local community."

Now, as a proud part of the AMRC community, he commends the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre, recognising the centre’s foundational role in building a skilled workforce and attracting inward investment to the region.

Throughout his tenure, Richard experienced significant professional growth, which he attributes to the AMRC's unique culture, offering him ‘the freedom to identify opportunities and the encouragement toward entrepreneurship that isn't common in other organisations’. His greatest pride, however, is in the people he worked with. “Watching people grow in their roles – both here at the AMRC and beyond – has been one of my best work experiences,” he said. “It's been an honour to be part of the team, and to have been able to influence and support so many."

Looking to the future, Richard will remain a committed supporter of the AMRC and would like to continue his involvement with the organisation as a visiting professor.