Stewart Lane appointed president of the Manufacturing Technologies Association

"I am deeply honoured to accept the presidency of the MTA at what is a critical time for UK manufacturing. The sector faces both significant challenges and opportunities. I look forward to working with member companies, stakeholders, and government to ensure that advanced manufacturing continues to flourish in the UK," said Lane.

With a degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and over 30 years’ experience in the industry, 25 of them at Renishaw, Lane has held a wide range of roles at the global FTSE250 engineering business. He also spent several years working within quality and management functions for a number of French and Swedish industrial businesses, and speaks both languages fluently. He has also managed Renishaw’s French sales organisation.  

Lane joined Renishaw in 2000, initially performing roles within the company's quality and design functions before combining his technical and commercial skills to develop metrology products for the global machine tool industry. He has also headed Renishaw’s corporate business development function and UK Sales division, becoming a member of its International Sales and Marketing Board, and has helped drive the development of the company’s metrology, encoder and additive manufacturing (AM) businesses.  

Outside of Renishaw, Lane has contributed significantly to the wider UK manufacturing sector. He is a past Board member of the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) and joined the MTA Board in 2016, where he became chair of the MTA’s Education Committee and its representative on the Board of CECIMO, the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies. 

In recent years, a key focus for Lane has been supporting the growth of additive manufacturing (AM) both within Renishaw and the wider industry. He was until recently chair of both AMUK and CECIMO’s European AM Committee. He continues to represent the UK internationally, working alongside fellow MTA Board member, Marcus Burton, and MTA CEO, James Selka. 

"Stewart brings to the role an exceptional breadth of experience across the technology spectrum. Having served on our Board since 2016, his understanding of both the technical and strategic dimensions of manufacturing positions him well to guide the Association forward," stated Selka.

As president of the MTA, Lane will champion the association’s mission to represent and advance the interests of UK manufacturing technology companies, collaborating closely with government, industry and research institutions, building on the legacy of outgoing president, Tony Bowkett. 

Objectives and Vision for the MTA 

In taking on the presidency, Lane has set out a clear vision and priorities for his term: 

• Strengthening the Industry Voice: Enhancing the collective influence of MTA members in policy discussions on regulation, trade, and innovation. 
• Skills and Talent Development: Supporting initiatives to nurture technical expertise, apprenticeships, and workforce development across the sector. 
• Embracing Advanced Technologies: Championing the adoption of next-generation manufacturing technologies, including additive manufacturing, digital tooling, metrology, and automation. 
• Global Competitiveness: Promoting export growth and strengthening the international profile of UK manufacturing technology companies. 
• Sustainability and Resilience: Driving sustainable practices, building supply chain resilience, and fostering innovation aligned with net-zero objectives. 

MTA members and industry partners have expressed strong support for Lane's appointment, recognising his leadership as timely and well aligned with the evolving needs of the sector.

www.mta.org.uk