Alastair Wilson, Director of the UK Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network
Alastair is the Director of the Photonics Knowledge Transfer Network (www.photonicsktn.org), an organisation established to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from the UK’s research base in Photonics to business. The organisation has been formed by a consortium of partners across the UK including Photonics Cluster (UK) who are one of your hosts for this event.  The purpose of the KTNs is to improve the UK’s level of innovation by increasing the breadth, depth and rate of the knowledge transfer of technology into UK-based businesses.

Stephen Anderson, Associate Publisher/ Editor in Chief, Laser Focus World
Stephen Anderson, based in Nashua, NH is the Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Laser Focus World magazine (www.laserfocusworld.com). He has been with Laser Focus World for more than thirteen years, during which time he also served as its West Coast Editor. Anderson directs the Annual Review and Forecast of the Laser Marketplace, published by Laser Focus World, which forms the basis of this seminar. He has accumulated more than 25 years of experience in laser and optoelectronics related industries. Before joining PennWell he worked in various marketing and sales positions at Perkin Elmer (UK) and at Spectra-Physics in the UK, Germany, and in the USA. Anderson received his BA degree in chemistry from the University of York, (UK), and his MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA.

David Belforte, Publisher/ Editor, Industrial Laser Solutions
David Belforte is an internationally recognized authority on industrial laser materials processing and has been actively involved in this technology for more than 30 years. After obtaining a BS from Northeastern University, Belforte was a member of the research staff at Raytheon. With an MBA, he shifted his interest to the commercial world, holding increasingly important positions with companies involved with high-technology materials processing. During this time, he co-founded a company that introduced several firsts in advanced welding technology and equipment. For several years, he led the development of very high power CO2 laser applications in welding and surface treating. In addition to consulting, Belforte is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Laser Solutions (www.industrial-lasers.com) and contributes to other laser publications.

Dr. Arnold Mayer, President, Optech Consulting
Dr. Mayer is one of the leading laser and photonics market experts with more than 20 years of consulting experience. Optech Consulting, Taegerwilen, Switzerland, www.optech-consulting.com publishes periodical market reports on Laser Materials Processing and on Solid State Lasers, and organizes marketing seminars on industrial lasers. Recent work includes a comprehensive assessment of European and global photonics markets. Prior to founding Optech Consulting Dr. Mayer held positions in marketing, industrial R&D, and management consulting. He received his PHD at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, Stuttgart, Germany, and holds a degree in Physics from the University of Stuttgart.

Dr Mike Green, Executive Secretary, Association of Laser Users
Mike has been involved with laser technology for the whole of his professional life. After 20 years of academic and industrial research into new laser systems he established Pro Laser Consultants in 1991 and in 1995 became a founder member of the Association of Lasers (AILU) and its Executive Secretary, a position he still holds today.

Dr Jack Gabzdyl, Product Line Manager,  SPI Lasers
Dr Jack Gabzdyl is the Product Line Manager- Pulsed lasers at SPI Lasers and has over 20 years of laser materials processing experience. He obtained his PhD in laser processing from Imperial College London in 1989. He has since had a number of technical and marketing positions at BOC Gases, Advanced Laser Solutions and TWI before joining SPI in 2007. 

Stuart Woods, Director of Business Development – CLC, Coherent UK Ltd
Stuart has over 19-years of engineering, marketing, and management experience in the optical technology industry. Currently at Coherent, Inc., he supports the Commercial Laser and Component Group in a staff capacity assisting business units grow. Previously at SPI Lasers (SPI.L), he teamed to take the company from a telecom failure to a AIM publicly floated, fiber laser success.

Dr. Martyn Knowles of Oxford Lasers & Committee Member of AILU
Martyn is the Technical Director at Oxford Lasers. He was a founder member of the laser micro-machining division within the company and has overseen the develop of the company’s range of laser micromachining tools and application facilities. He has over 20 years experience in the laser industry covering technical and marketing roles.

Alex Clarke, Project Manager, Photonics Cluster (UK) & Photonics KTN Representative
Alex has more than 15 years in commercialising IP in Electronic and Opto-electronic markets. His experience extends to global business activities and building long term commercial relationships in the Far East and North America. Coming from an engineering and design background, Alex has a strong technical understanding in developing Broadcast technologies, opto-electronic & IT engineering supported by commercial experience. Alex is a Project Manager in the Business Development Team for Aston Science Park delivering the Photonics Cluster (UK) (www.photonicscluster-uk.org) initiative, the laboratories and is a UK Photonics KTN representative.

Dr Geoff Archenhold, BERR Consultant & euroLED 2008 Conference Chair
Geoff is a leading businessman, physicist and a Conference Chair of euroLED 2008, Europe’s leading Solid State Lighting Conference & Exhibition taking place in the heart of the West Midlands on 4th-5th June (www.euroLED.org). Geoff has held several senior positions in both public and private sector organisations including the Chairman of Walsall teaching Primary Care Trust. He has over 20 years experience within the opto-electronics sector and specifically in the applications of telecommunications and solid-state lighting.  Geoff has successfully created several start-up companies and has led the development of several novel LED applications. Much of his research work has resulted in numerous awards for innovation and development and has many electronic and photonic related patents granted worldwide.

Glenn Barrowman, Project Manager, The West Midlands ICT Hub
Glenn is an experienced member of the Aston Science Park Business Development team, and is responsible for leading the West Midlands ICT Hub initiative (www.wmictcluster.org) supporting the development of the ICT business community.  Previously, Glenn was responsible for the delivery of the Photonics Cluster (UK) technology network and prior to joining Aston Science Park, Glenn was a Park Director for Coventry University and also worked for Scottish Enterprise, Lothian and Edinburgh Enterprise.