The MTC has appointed Vicki Sanderson as HR director, who is looking to use her role to inspire more women into the engineering profession.

Vicki started the role – a newly-created position with a seat on the MTC board – on Monday January 8, having held similar positions at Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group and Domino Printing Sciences.

Her career has also taken in retail giants Sainsbury’s, where she began on their graduate training scheme, and Tesco’s, where she worked in the company’s Management Development Centre developing innovative training and development solutions for senior managers and directors including future CEOs Sir Terry Leahy and Philip Clarke.

Vicki, a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, arrives at the MTC as it continues rapid growth having seen a significant rise in employees over the past three years from just under 300 to in excess of 600. It is expected to pass 700 in 2018.

She is looking forward to being part of the MTC, having been impressed by the organisation, a High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre.

“I am really excited to be joining a rapidly expanding organisation that is full of people who are very creative and are working to ensure UK manufacturing is as efficient and effective as it possibly can be,” she said.

“The foundations of a successful business is putting people at the heart of the organisation. It is engaging those working there and planning for the expected growth it will have in the next few years.

“I will be looking to play a significant role in making sure everyone is engaged to meet the business plan, meet the needs of our customers and grow the organisation.”

Vicki is also keen to promote and grow the number of women working in engineering.

“I hope that in my role I can play an active part in bringing in more female engineers to the MTC. I’ll be looking at ways to outreach, increase diversity and promote STEM, which I am passionate about.”

MTC chief executive Clive Hickman said: “The MTC has experienced unprecedented growth over the last seven years and we expect that growth to continue for the foreseeable future.

“Recognising that people are our most important asset we have strengthened the MTC Board through the appointment of Vicki Sanderson as HR Director. I am delighted that Vicki has agree to join MTC.”

Vicki is also on the EEF Eastern Regional Board; a board member of Cambridge Network and a governor at Culford School.