A senior technical fellow from the University of Sheffield AMRC has been made vice-chair of the Apollo Protocol industrial board, an initiative set up to create a common language across data, digital twins and information management.

The initiative has also created Apollo Forums between sectors including manufacturing, energy, healthcare, insurance and built environment, helping them to stop working in silos. In the Autumn of 2022, the team were commissioned to set up and run the first Apollo Forum as a case study to develop and test a methodology for cross sector collaboration and learning. A report of these activities will be published in 2024.

Tim Watson, director of the Cyber Security Centre at Loughborough University and programme director for defence and security at The Alan Turing Institute, has been named as chair of the Apollo Protocol executive board. 

Announcing the membership of the board, Tim said: "We have brought together a variety of views and experiences in the board, who will be supported by an even broader range of voices in our steering group. This open approach supports our vision of a common language for data across all sectors and industries. 

"I'm excited about the road ahead for collaborative, cross-sector activities which can deliver genuine progress. We'll be sharing more in the coming months."

Tim will be working alongside vice chair, Jonathan Eyre, senior technical fellow for digital twins at the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), to lead the board whose members also include:

• Hugh Boyes, security expert at Bodvoc Ltd
• Su Butcher, construction product data advocate at Just Practising Limited
• Iria Carreira, senior product manager at Autodesk
• Simon Evans, global digital energy leader at Arup and strategic board member at the Digital Twin Hub
• Henry Fenby-Taylor, founder of Athenophilia Ltd
• Ian Gordon, data advisory at Arup and former head of data at the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme 
• Ali Nicholl, head of engagement at IOTICS
• John Patsavellas, senior lecturer in manufacturing management at Cranfield University
• Paul Surin, head of digital and IT at Trojena
• Neil Thompson, director of digital integration and delivery at AtkinsRéalis and digital lead for the Construction Leadership Council.

Jonathan Eyre, senior technical fellow for digital twins at the AMRC. 

The board has been meeting over the second half of 2023 and will be publishing a report on the initiative’s activities and outlining the road ahead in early 2024.