Glass Futures Announces the Appointment of Two New Board Members

Professor Anthony Hollander is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact and Professor of Stem Cell Biology at the University of Liverpool. Prof. Hollander provides strategic leadership for the development of research policy and for ensuring impact of the University’s research programmes in Liverpool and around the world. 

He is also responsible for commercialisation of research, for developing partnerships with companies and other external stakeholders and for the training of postgraduate research students. Professor Hollander is also Chair of the N8 Senior Executive Group*.

Mark Higham has held a variety of leadership positions over the years in Siemens UK and is currently General Manager of Siemens Process Automation business based in Manchester. He has over 30 years’ experience delivering innovative solutions to the process industries to help companies increase productivity, flexibility and quality.

Siemens is a leader in global innovation and technology for industrial automation and digitalisation. The company has a depth of expertise in providing cutting edge solutions for the automation of glass manufacturing processes and Mark’s experience will be instrumental as Glass Futures trials digital technologies to decarbonise industry.

Professor Hollander said: “I am delighted to join the Glass Futures’ Board and to be able to support this pioneering initiative aiming to develop the technologies to revolutionise glass manufacturing and support the sector’s transition to Net Zero.

“Collaboration is at the heart of the Glass Futures’ mission and I look forward to ensuring that the University plays a major role in supporting this and that our research, facilities and expertise contributes to the success of this exciting initiative.”

Mark Higham said: “I’m very interested in Glass Futures’ mission to accelerate the decarbonisation of the glass industry. By exploring production methods and technologies we can assess the long term benefits that impact industry as a whole, nationally and internationally.

“I’m comparatively new to glass, but I have a great deal of experience in wider processing and cutting edge automation technologies that have helped other industries transform. At Siemens, we like to say ‘Technology with Purpose’, and we’ve collaborated with other sector organisations to make a difference to people and planet. Glass industry processes haven’t changed dramatically for some time because they are well proven, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to innovate.”

Glass Futures’ Chief Executive, Richard Katz said: “The combined knowledge and expertise of Professor Anthony Hollander and Mark Higham will substantially add to Glass Futures’ capability to deliver innovation and technology for the benefit of its members and the global glass and foundation industries. We sincerely welcome both Professor Holland and Higham to our Board and look forward to benefiting from their expertise in the years to come.”

*The N8 Research Partnership is a not-for-profit organisation funded by its member universities, to promote efficiency, collaboration and innovation in the North of England and beyond.