Chris is one of Britain’s most accomplished cyclists, winning Olympic gold at the 1992 Barcelona Games and multiple world titles, as well as setting the prestigious Hour Record. Renowned for his pioneering approach to performance, he played a key role in the development of marginal gains, a philosophy that helped transform elite cycling.
Following his sporting career, Chris has continued to drive innovation and change, holding senior roles in British Cycling and serving as Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, where he has led major initiatives focused on sustainable transport and infrastructure.
His experience in high-performance environments, continuous improvement, and delivering change at scale offers powerful lessons for businesses. From optimising processes to improving efficiency and embracing innovation, his insights translate directly into the challenges and opportunities facing today’s engineering and industrial sectors.
Expect practical, thought-provoking insights on how small improvements can drive significant results, both on the track and in business.
Guest Speaker - Chris Boardman Thursday @ 4:00 PM
For many delegates attending the AEMT Conference, EMiR Software will already be a familiar name, supporting repair and service businesses across the electro-mechanical industry with its specialist ERP and business management solutions. This year's EMiR Spotlight Session offers both existing EMiR Professional users and non-EMiR businesses an opportunity to see how the software continues to evolve in response to changing industry needs. The session will provide an update on recent developments across the EMiR platform whilst introducing EMiR Repair Shop – a modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution designed specifically for repair and service workshops looking for a simpler, cloud-based approach to job management. Delegates will gain insight into EMiR Software's product vision, its investment in modern technologies, and how the company is extending its reach beyond traditional ERP systems to support the next generation of repair businesses. Whether you are an existing EMiR customer, considering digital transformation for your own business, or simply interested in the future of software within the repair industry, this session will provide a valuable overview of where EMiR Software is today and where it is heading in the future.
Presented by Annette Boulter, EMiR Software Consultant. Having spent more than 15 years in senior roles within the electro-mechanical industry and used EMiR extensively as a customer before joining the business, Annette offers a unique perspective on the challenges facing repair and service organisations today. Drawing on her first-hand industry experience and her involvement in scoping EMiR Repair Shop, she will share how EMiR Software is evolving its product portfolio to embrace modern SaaS technology while continuing to support the operational needs of the repair industry.
EMiR - Industry Software Spotlight Thursday @ 3:00 PM
Women in Engineering Thursday @ 11:00 AM
Sulzer Chief Electrical Engineer Dr. Yali Natalie Feng will be presenting HV Generator – Common Failures and Advanced Repair, sharing practical insights into one of the most common generator pain points, partial discharge.
Learn from CWIEME Engineer of the Year 2026 – delivering award-winning technical expertise in real-world challenges
HV Generator Tech Talk - Sulzer Thursday @ 2:00 PM
Founder and MD, SOcial, ENvironmental & EConomic Solutions (SOENECS) Ltd,
Co-founder and MD Tech-Takeback Ltd,
Co-founder and Executive Chair, etsaW Ventures,
Member of the UK Government Circular Economy Taskforce
Visiting Professor of Circular Economy at the University of Brighton
Vice President Circular Economy Institute (CEI), and
Immediate Past President – Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)
Programme Director – Circular South East
David is a dynamic force in driving global sustainability through his multifaceted roles in the circular economy landscape. At the helm of SOENECS, the research and innovation practice he founded in 2014, David spearheads strategic consultancy, training, and solutions at the forefront of the circular economy, waste management, and environmental auditing domains.
In 2020, David co-founded Tech-Takeback, a ground-breaking not-for-profit endeavour revolutionizing end-of-life electricals collection in Brighton & Hove. Their innovative "RevaluElectricals" service, powered by The ZeroNet, earned them the prestigious 2021 Business Green Leaders award for Circular Economy and between 2024 and 2026 delivered over £30million of Social Value. In 2026 Tech-Takeback split into TTB CircularIT and Tech-Takeback Foundation.
TTB CircularIT is now running two EU Horizon projects; The United Circles project; Circular South East, a pathfinder hub for industrial urban symbiosis, and Circuit4EU, a robotic critical raw material recovery project from end of life electricals. David is Programme Director for the UK elements of both projects.
His entrepreneurial spirit led to the establishment of etsaW Ventures in 2022, a venture studio dedicated to catalysing and scaling circular innovation. Under his leadership, the studio has invested in award-winning companies and is nurturing the growth of three new material extraction ventures.
Since 2018, he has been the Vice President of the Circular Economy Institute (CEI), where his dedication has fuelled impactful initiatives on a global scale. With eight years of volunteer service under his belt, David has orchestrated over 50 face-to-face networking events, including pioneering endeavours like the CEC London Tour of Circular Businesses on the Circle Line. His influential voice has resonated at more than 25 international events, captivating audiences from Reuters to Rotary and PWC.
Recognized for his expertise, David was appointed Professor of Circular Economy at the University of Brighton in 2021, where he collaborates with academia to integrate circular principles into the educational landscape. In 2024 David appointed as one 15 members of the Government Circular Economy Taskforce to support the government in creating a circular economy strategy for England.
In 2025, David's peers elected him as President of the CIWM, a testament to his esteemed reputation and contributions to the field. Beyond his presidential duties, he serves on the Strategic Advisory Board for The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Futures Initiative and University of Brighton Industry advisory Board. As a Government Adviser and past chair for the Local Authority National Waste Network Chairs, David remains at the forefront of shaping policy and driving impactful change.
This presentation focuses on how to prevent electrical bearing damage in VFD-driven motors and reduce costly downtime.
It covers the root causes of shaft voltage, its impact on bearings, and practical mitigation strategies using AEGIS® shaft grounding solutions.
Real-world applications and best practices will be shared to demonstrate how to improve reliability and extend equipment lifetime.
Aegis - Bearings Thursday @ 11:30 AM
One repair shop lifted revenue per employee more than 50% above the industry average, without hiring. Here is how.
Noctua did not start out in an office. It grew inside a working repair shop in the east of the Netherlands. The team set out to tackle a common frustration: skilled engineers were losing billable hours on paperwork and chasing down the history of old jobs. Noctua's software was shaped on the floor, one job at a time. The result: revenue per employee more than 50% above the industry average, with no extra headcount. This talk outlines the journey taken to reach that point.
Andrew Maat is Managing Director of Noctua, a software platform for independent service providers of rotating equipment. Built inside a working repair shop, Noctua helps repair and maintenance businesses across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe get more from the engineers and asset data they already have. Andrew previously spent over a decade co-founding and leading digital businesses.
Noctua - Real Time Monitoring, Analytics and Maintenance Optimisation Thursday @ 12:00 PM
Jonathan McNamee is General Manager of Hayley 247 Reliability, where he leads the development of advanced condition monitoring and reliability engineering solutions across industrial sectors. With a background in electro-mechanical engineering, Jonathan has a particular interest in the application of emerging technologies, data analytics, and digital tools to improve asset performance. He works closely with customers to bridge the gap between condition monitoring data and practical maintenance decisions, helping organisations move toward more predictive and prescriptive maintenance strategies.
This presentation explores why the transition from reactive and preventive maintenance through to predictive and ultimately prescriptive strategies can fall short in practice. Despite significant investment in condition monitoring technologies, many organisations still struggle to achieve meaningful improvements in reliability. In many cases, condition monitoring is introduced as an added layer of assurance, rather than a catalyst for change. Traditional time-based maintenance strategies remain in place, with CBM acting as reassurance rather than enabling optimisation or extension of maintenance intervals.
Drawing on real-world experience, this session will explore how organisations can better balance internal capability and external expertise, apply condition monitoring with intent, and align maintenance strategies with both reliability and long-term asset sustainability.
Hayley 247 - Reliability Thursday @ 11:00 AM
Karl has worked within the Electro-Mechanical industry since 1987 developing a broad and deep knowledge of the sector. He is the AEMT’s lead Trainer and offers ongoing technical support to members. Starting his apprenticeship at York based service centre Eclipse Electrical Engineering, Karl trained as a time served rewinder and fitter, where he worked extensively with all types of low voltage machines, pumps and gearboxes. In 2011, he left Eclipse to move into sales then moved on to Featherston Ltd as workshop manager, where he gained experience in management and handling medium to high voltage equipment. He later became works manager of Kirkby Lindsey in 2015 where he was also the responsible person for signing off all Ex equipment.
Chris Powles is a highly respected industry leader with more than 40 years of experience driving excellence in the electromechanical service, repair, and industrial technology sectors. As Country Divisional Head at Innomotics Motors and Large Drives Limited, he leads the High Voltage Systems and Customer Service business across the UK and Ireland, helping customers maximise reliability, performance, and sustainability in critical industrial operations.
A passionate advocate for people, skills development, and service excellence, Chris has built his career leading high-performing teams and delivering transformational business growth. Before joining Innomotics, he spent over two decades with Sulzer, where he held a number of senior leadership roles within the company's Service Division.
Beginning his career as an apprentice with SPP Pumps, Chris remains a strong champion of engineering talent and industry collaboration. He serves on the AEMT Council as an Associate Member Representative and is a long-standing supporter of the AEMT Conference and Awards, actively contributing to the advancement of standards, skills, and best practice across the electromechanical industry.
AI + BI = CI — From Data to Direction
How Continuous Intelligence elevates decision-making in the boardroom
Marc Vissers, Head of Marketing Communications Europe West at Lenze, brings over 30 years of international experience in industrial automation, machine building and B2B strategy. He works closely with executive teams to translate technology, data and innovation into sustainable business outcomes.
In this session, the focus shifts from data availability to decision impact. AI + BI = CI : Continuous Intelligence becomes a management discipline that connects data, insight and action across the value chain. Not more data, but better decisions. With emphasis on performance, risk and scalability, this approach enables leaders to steer with confidence, turning information into direction, and strategy into measurable results.
AI in the Boardroom - Lenze Thursday @ 2:30 PM
