Connecting Research with Industry in Italy and the UK
18 - 19 April 2007

12 Noon

Buffet lunch in Cranfield Management Development Centre

13:45

Conference Commences

Welcome: Prof. Sir John O’Reilly Vice Chancellor, Cranfield University; His Excellencey Giancarlo Aragona Italian Ambassador to the UK; Ing. Pietro Micheli, Italians at Cranfield Association (ItaCA)
Introduction to the afternoon:
Conference Chairman Richard Arthur Chairman Renaissance Bedford

14:15

Government Perspective

Prof. Luigi Nicolais – Minister for Public Administration Reform and Innovation
Rt. Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP - Minister of State for Industry and the Regions

15:00

Industry Perspective

Dr. Paolo Annunziato – Confindustria's Director of Innovation and Research
Richard Lambert – Head of Confederation of British Industry

15:45

Coffee Break

16:15

Research Council Perspective

Prof. Fabio Pistella – Director of CNR (National Research Council)
Dr Randal Richards - CEO of Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)

17:00

Policy into Practice:  Industry’s Experience

Ing. Giancarlo Grasso - Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Finmeccanica Group
Jenny Body - R & T Government Relations Manager Airbus

17:45

Summary of the first day & looking forward to tomorrow 

Conference Chairman Richard Arthur

Opportunity to view exhibition stands

19:30
20:00 for 20:30

Meet to travel to Woburn Sculpture Gallery
Gala Dinner
Carriages from 23:00

Dress code: Smart casual

08:15

Coffee & pastries in Cranfield Management Development Centre

09:00

Introduction to the day
Conference Chairman Richard Arthur Chairman Renaissance Bedford Plenary session
Plenary speech
Peter Hedges EPSRC, Programme manager for IMRC UK

Stream 1

Facilitator: Prof. John Bessant – AIM Senior Fellow, Co-Director Innovation and Productivity Grand Challenge

Stream 2

Facilitator: Prof. John Murphy – Head of University Partnerships, BAESystems

UNIVERSITIES

ADVANCED MECHANICS

9:30

Speaker: Prof. Alberto Grando
Director, Bocconi Business School

Speaker: Dr. Bernie Rickinson
CEO, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining

9:45

Speaker: Prof. Andy Neely
Deputy-Director, Advanced Institute of Management Research

Speaker: Dr. Salvatore Timpanaro
Scientific Expert, Aster Emilia-Romagna

ICT

AUTOMOTIVE

10:00

Speaker: Prof. Rodolfo Zich
President, Torino Wireless Foundation

Speaker: Dr. Ing. Francesco Paolo Ausiello
R&D Director, Magneti Marelli Holding Spa

10:15

Speaker: Prof. Andy Hopper
Professor of Computer Technology, Cambridge University; Chairman, Co-founder and Director of several companies

Speaker: Dr. Pat Symonds
Engineering Director, Renault F1

10:30

Roundtable discussion

11:00 – 11:20

Coffee Break

AERONAUTICS AND DEFENCE

11:20

Speaker: Ing. Roberto Siagri
President, EuroTecH Spa

Speaker: Prof. Andrea Aparo
Scientific Advisor, Finmeccanica Group

11:35

Speaker: Prof. Joe Lunec
Head of Cranfield Health

Speaker: Prof. John Murphy
Head of University Partnerships, BAESystems

ADVANCED MATERIALS

AEROSPACE

11:50

Speaker: Dr. Eva Milella
Managing Director, IMAST Technological District

Speaker: Ing. Ludovico Vecchione
Manager of Aeronautical Ground Testing Facilities, CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Centre)

12:05

Speaker: Dr. David Rimmer
Director, Optic Technium

Speaker: Howard Chesterton
Executive Director, West of England Aerospace Forum

12:20

Roundtable discussion

Summary of the proceedings

Conference Chairman Richard Arthur Wrap-up and close of the conference

13:30

Lunch

14:30

Optional visit to Cranfield University Facilities