The Industry Wave

In episode 8 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with our first ever female President, Aine Finlayson, as she reflects on her six-year journey as part of the Scottish Engineering Presidential Committee as it comes to an end. From her early days as a science‑driven student in County Down to a career that has taken her across Europe and ultimately to her role as Chief Operating Officer at Peak Scientific, Aine reflects on the experiences, mentors, and moments of curiosity that shaped her path into engineering and leadership.

Join us as we explore the realities facing Scotland's engineering and manufacturing sector today, from the persistent skills challenge to the rapidly changing blend of talent now required across engineering, software, automation, and supply chain. Aine shares how confidence, collaboration, and the willingness to say “yes” at pivotal moments have influenced her career — including reconnecting with the teacher who first recognised her potential. This conversation offers an honest look at resilience, growth, and the responsibilities of modern engineering leadership, marking the legacy of Scottish Engineering’s 88th President.

In episode 7 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with a second-generation leader of Whittaker Engineering Murray Whittaker to explore the intersection of family legacy, innovation, and the future of Scottish engineering. Growing up around the family business didn’t mean an easy path—instead, real-world experience and an apprenticeship shaped both perspective and work ethic.

We discuss the unique advantages and challenges of working closely with family in a sector rooted in tradition, while also examining how rapid changes in the energy transition are influencing precision engineering. From emerging technologies with the potential to transform the industry to strategies for inspiring the next generation of engineers in Scotland, this conversation sheds light on both the opportunities and responsibilities that come with leading a family business in a time of change.

In this episode 6 of The Industry Wave, My guest today is Dr. Ollie Folayan, MBE, Head of Process Engineering at Costain Group and co-founder of AFBE-UK. With a long and distinguished academic journey—beginning with his Bachelor of Engineering in 1999, a PhD in 2002, and culminating in his role as a Fellow and Vice Chair of the Institution of Chemical Engineers—Dr. Ali brings a wealth of expertise and insight to the conversation.

In this episode, we dive into his inspiring journey as a chemical process engineer whose early passion for fuels and combustion sparked a remarkable career in energy and innovation. We explore the role of mentors and family influences, including the shared impact of his sister, Dr. Nike Folayan, in championing diversity within engineering.

From founding AFBE-UK—an organisation built from the ground up to support ethnic minority engineers—to launching outreach programmes like Making Engineering Hot and NextGen (Scotland), Dr. Ali shares both the challenges and triumphs of building initiatives that open doors for the next generation.

In this episode of The Industry Wave, our guest today is John Campbell, whose career in industry has been significantly influenced by his  connection with the UK’s Armed Forces and Scottish Engineering.

In episode 4 of The Industry Wave, we’re joined by the dynamic Mamta Singhal MBE — a Chartered Design Engineer whose career spans senior roles with globally recognised brands including Hasbro, Dyson, Coca-Cola, and Mars. With a background that seamlessly blends art, engineering, and business, Mamta is a passionate advocate for innovation, diversity, and sustainability in the engineering sector.

Awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to engineering, Mamta holds fellowships with both the IET and the Women's Engineering Society, and sits on multiple national and international boards. She brings a truly global perspective — born in the U.S., of Indian heritage, and educated in Scotland — which has shaped her inclusive approach to leadership and problem-solving.

In this conversation, Mamta shares her journey into engineering, her experiences working with iconic global brands, and the values that continue to guide her career. We explore the power of creativity in engineering, the importance of mentorship, and how to create meaningful impact through sustainable innovation.

Mamta's insight, warmth, and authenticity make this an inspiring listen for anyone passionate about the future of engineering.

In episode 3 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with Oliver King-Smith, Founder of smartR AI and a pioneering voice in applied artificial intelligence, to hear about his journey through technology and entrepreneurship. During our conversation, Oliver reflects on how his passion for solving real-world problems through innovation has guided his work — from developing award-winning software and semiconductor technologies to founding successful startups. With a career spanning over 25 years, four patents, and leadership roles across sectors like machine vision, robotics, and AI, Oliver shares what drives his mission to use AI for good. Our chat also gave him a chance to reflect on the growth of smartR AI and his hopes for the responsible future of AI in industry.

In episode 2 of The Industry Wave, we catch up with Scottish Engineering's 89th President, and Thales Operations Director, Bernie O'Neil, to hear about her journey into Engineering.  During our chat, Bernie underlines how strongly she feels that quality education opportunities should be open to all, and how she sees that shaped the career she continues to enjoy.  2025 is the second and final year of her presidency, and so the discussion was also a chance for her to reflect on that experience and where her hopes for Scottish Engineering's future lies.

In episode 1 of The Industry Wave, we sit down with Ross McPhillie, our 2024 Scottish Engineering Young Engineer of the Year winner. Ross is a key innovator at RUA Medical, where he has played a pivotal role in developing a prosthetic heart valve prototype that has successfully endured 200 million durability cycles and is now transitioning to commercialisation.

Join us as Ross shares his journey into biomedical engineering, the challenges and triumphs of bringing cutting-edge medical technology to life, and his vision for the future of healthcare innovation.

Welcome to The Industry Wave