With more than 30 years of experience as MD and founder of Nikken Kosakusho Europe, Bowkett is responsible for the "huge success and triumphs of Nikken's activities across Europe and beyond", which includes multiple subsidiary companies within the group, together operating in excess of 23 countries, the company said in a statement.

"It is a great honour and privilege to serve our association members, and we now proudly represent over 300 companies. Together, we generate an annual turnover of more than £2bn and employ over 20,000 people – collaborating with a vast UK supply chain, generating many millions in real wealth for the UK Economy," said Tony Bowkett, president and CEO of Nikken.  

"Through our live exhibition MACH, education, training, legislation, and standards teams, we aspire to reach all of UK Manufacturing Industries. During my presidency, I would like to make it my mission to engage with our members and represent their best interests on local, national and international platforms.

Under Bowkett's leadership, Nikken is also a founding industrial partner and non-executive industrial board member of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and firmly believes in UK manufacturing and knowledge transfer as a vital wealth creator, focusing on developing and training the next generation of engineers. Nikken has supported and exhibited at all MACH exhibitions since 1992, promoting its innovative solutions and the manufacturing technologies sector in general.

Furthermore, with Bowkett's experience in similar roles, such as a financial director and vice president of the MTA, he is equipped to support the MTA to the highest level and aspires to promote and develop the association to engage and network with its members and associates, ensuring that UK manufacturing technologies are recognised as critical parts of government economic strategy.

"We are incredibly lucky to have a talented and strong board representing our members and are grateful that Tony has agreed to take on the role of acting president. He is a man who understands the challenges facing the manufacturing sector and the solutions that are required to see it flourish once again," stated James Selka, CEO of the MTA. 

www.nikken-world.co.uk