Professor Keith Ridgway - founder and Executive Chair of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) - is to add a new challenge to his portfolio of national and international leadership in advanced manufacturing research.

Professor Ridgway has been appointed as Executive Chair of the AFRC - the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) at the University of Strathclyde and a core partner of the UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult (HVMC).

Professor Ridgway said: "Taking on this additional role effectively brings together two regions where the manufacturing industry is vitally important and where future growth is dependent on a vibrant manufacturing industry.

"This announcement marks an opportunity to lead strategy development of three major manufacturing research centres in complementary areas, with the potential to develop large strategic projects involving companies within the Northern Powerhouse and Scotland."

The move has been welcomed by AMRC and AFRC lead industrial partners in light of the greater potential for collaboration and integration of technologies.

Collaborating companies will have access to machining, welding, forging and forming, casting, assembly and robotics, composites, digital engineering and design and testing. The aim will be to give companies access to the facilities and expertise in all sites.

Professor Ridgway will continue as Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield. Direct leadership of the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC will continue to be provided by its Chief Executives, who came to these roles from senior positions in industry.

As in the world-leading AMRC in the Sheffield City Region, the AFRC will support delivery of the Scottish Government's emerging strategy on manufacturing.