There have been twelve Pottery Mechanics Institute Trustees over the past 30 years.
The current trustees have, between us, over 150 years of experience in the UK Ceramics sector. With our significant expertise in ceramics manufacturing, research, education and training across a range of industries, we are really excited to be able to help those trying to join, advance within UK Ceramics or add to the knowledge and expertise in this essential wealth-creating sector.
Brian Standbridge
Current Chairman PMI Trustees and been board member since 2006.
Ceramic degree qualified director with over 35 years in ceramic factory and sourcing roles. Passionate about all ceramic coverage in UK especially small business development and people entrepreneurialism. Enjoys marathon running and eating out in spare time.
David Cannell
I was Chief Materials Scientist at CeramTec UK, responsible for the formulation and performance of a wide range of dielectric and piezoelectric technical ceramics tailored for medical, defence, automotive and industrial applications. Having retired in 2023 after working in this field for over 35 years I believe the ceramics industry offers an attractive career path for enthusiastic young people with enquiring minds and a strong work ethic, providing the opportunity to develop a challenging and stimulating career. PMI supports this ambition.
In addition to my role with PMI, I am also an active STEM ambassador.
Mark Cumberlidge
Having obtained a first class BSc Hons degree in ceramics in 1996 I have spent much of my working career as a Technical Manager in the ceramics industry, focusing on formulating clay recipes, problem solving and quality control. I currently work at Valentine Clays in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, which supplies clay to the craft industry. I am passionate about the education of ceramics to enable knowledge to be transferred to future generations of potters.
Pete Barnes
A ceramic science graduate with 40 years experience in all aspects of higher education- including teaching, research, consultancy and training in North Staffordshire from 1982-2017.
Currently in the Department of Engineering at Harper Adams University. A trustee of PMI for over 20 years. A cricket lover and longsuffering fan of Sunderland AFC.
My ceramic interests and expertise extend across a wide range and have included dental and bio ceramics, utilisation of waste streams into building materials, microstructure-property relationships. My education-sector experience includes running distance- and workplace-based courses as well as teaching from Level 3 up to Masters level and PhD supervision.
Andy Perry
I have been working in the Ceramics Industry for over 35 years in a variety of roles mainly focussing on the technical challenges faced by the production of Ceramic products.
I started work producing glaze samples for Sneyd Oxides in Burslem, before moving to Blythe Colours producing onglaze and in-glaze stains for various ceramic producers. During this early part of my working life, I started further to study on a part time basis at what was North Staffs Poly, where I eventually attained a BSc in Ceramic technology.
The majority of my working life has been spent at Ideal Standard Sanitaryware, working in the technical and management areas of the business. I left Ideal Standard in 2017 joining Lucideon as the Ceramic process specialist, however I returned to Ideal 4 years later as Group Ceramist.
“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the PMI during the pandemic. The Trust's generous funding helped us to provide many bathroom sector employees with online learning, making lockdown a productive time that will assist them in their onward careers in the industry. Our sector is built on its people, and this initiative has helped make that foundation much stronger.”
Tom Reynolds, BMA Chief Executive