AILU elects new President
TWI power beam processing section manager, Paola De Bono, has been newly elected as the President of The Association of Industrial Laser Users( AILU). Paola, who is the first-ever female president of AILU, will hold her tenure for two years.
A UK-based, notfor-profit organisation founded in 1995, AILU boasts an international membership for those with an interest in the applications of laser materials processing in industry and academia. The association connects laser professionals from a wide range of backgrounds for networking with others involved in manufacturing and research, laser job shops, manufacturers of lasers and laser systems, and suppliers of laser-related products and services. n
www
. ailu. org. uk /
Gerry Jones retires from TRUMPF Ltd.
TRUMPF Ltd. in the UK has announced the retirement of sales director, Gerry Jones, as of 17 July 2025.
“ After more than 30 years of dedicated service, Gerry Jones is leaving behind a legacy
Gerry Jones. of lasting contributions to the success of our UK customers. We extend our heartfelt thanks and wish him all the very best for a long and happy retirement,” highlighted Lee Moakes, Managing Director, TRUMPF UK.
Following Gerry’ s retirement, TRUMPF Ltd announced John Roche as Head of Sales MT and Tom Chaffer as Head of Sales LT, reporting directly to Lee Moakes.
TRUMPF Ltd., based in Luton, is the UK subsidiary of the TRUMPF Group, a global specialist in industrial machine tools, laser technology and electronics for industrial applications. n
www. trumpf. com
L-R: Outgoing AILU President, Ric Allott of STFC, with Paola De Bono.
July 2025 saw a“ changing of the guard” at General Motors Design. Michael Simcoe, who has led GM Global Design since 2016, has retired. His successor, Bryan Nesbitt, becomes only the eighth person in almost a century to lead GM’ s worldwide design organisation.
In August 1993, Nesbitt joined General Motors Design in 2001 and swiftly rose to leadership roles, including executive director of Design GM Europe, VP of Design GM China and VP of Design GM North America. In 2016, Nesbitt was named executive director of global advanced design, directing projects like the 2021 and 2022 Cadillac AV family of concepts presented at the Consumer Electronics Show. In 2022, he was named executive director of global Cadillac design, where he shepherded the latest concept cars— Opulent Velocity and SOLLEI.
Nesbitt takes over as head of design in a paradigm-shift moment for the industry.“ One of the biggest transitions in mobility is happening in this next window with autonomous driving,” he said. As cars become fully self-driving, the art and science of vehicle design will change drastically, he explained. Car designers facing this future can’ t just think about styling as fashion, said GM- they need to
Caroline Gumble started her role as CEO of The Welding Institute and TWI( in the UK) in July 2025.
“ I am looking forward to beginning this new era for The Welding Institute, TWI and our training school, and want to thank David Wrathmall for his important work as interim CEO. I have already had several informative discussions with our many stakeholders and recognise that there have been some challenging times over the past few years, for us and for industry in general. However, as CEO, I am keen to focus on the needs of all of our members,” she said.
Caroline was most recently the CEO of the Chartered Institute of Building( CIOB), where she oversaw a successful business transformation. Before this, she worked extensively in engineering, including a tenure at Make UK( formerly known as EEF).
Claire Kimpton has also been appointed as the new Chair of Council.“ I feel honoured
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‘ Changing of the guard’ at GM Global Design
Above L-R: Michael Simcoe( who retires after 42 years with General Motors) and Bryan Nesbitt, newly appointed senior vice president of GM Global Design.
rethink the very foundations of how humans and machines interact.
“ GM has some of the most gifted designers and artisans in the world,” added Michael Simcoe.“ It’ s been humbling to be a part of shaping the future of transportation. It’ s been said that design is the soul of GM, and in many ways it is. That’ s not decreasing the value of anything else we do, because it’ s all really, really important. But design is the protector of the emotion, the character of the products that we generate. With Bryan’ s leadership, I know GM Design will continue to drive the company forward.” n
www. gm. com
Caroline Gumble heads TWI
Caroline Gumble.
to have been appointed as Chair of Council and look forward to building on my time as Vice-Chair. Although this means I am now to step down as Chair of the Professional Board, it was a privilege to hold this position and I look forward to helping Caroline deliver a new era for The Welding Institute Group,” she commented. n
www. twi-global. com
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