Professor Karen Holford CBE steps into the role of non-executive director at Renishaw, after joining the board of directors of the company at the beginning of September 2023.
Professor Holford brings with her over 43 years of experience in the engineering sector and will join Renishaw's audit, nomination and remuneration committees. She is also chief executive and vice chancellor at Cranfield University in Swindon.
After starting her engineering career as an apprentice at Rolls Royce, Professor Holford went on to become a senior engineer at AB Electronic Products, before returning to academia to progress to professor of mechanical engineering.
As well as her extensive engineering, technical management and governance experience, Professor Holford has previously helped to address a lack of diversity in organisations by challenging perceptions and working with underrepresented groups.
Professor Holford is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and was named as one of the 50 most influential women engineers in 2016. The very next year she received a CBE for services to engineering and the advancement of women in engineering.
Sir David McMurtry, executive chairman at Renishaw, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Karen to the board. She has a wealth of engineering and R&D experience, bringing vital skills to the business.'
Based in Wotton-Under-Edge, Renishaw is a global supplier of measuring and manufacturing systems, with over 5,000 employees located across 36 countries — recording sales of £688.6 million for the year ended June 2023.
