The recent Best of British Casting Awards Dinner was an ideal opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of our outgoing CEO, Dr Pam Murrell FICME, and welcome the new CEO, Simon Forrester MBA MICME.

In his welcome address, the CMF Chair, Steve Goodier praised Pam and thanked her for her positivity and passion, noting her ability to build lasting relationships with members and other stakeholders around the metals sector both in the UK and overseas. He noted that during her tenure the CMF has grown its membership, and incorporated more suppliers to the industry, as well as nurtured links with academia. With a clear commercial awareness, she has maintained a focus on supporting members and representing the industry. She has been particularly successful in raising the profile of the industry whilst bridging the gap between industry and academia.

In thanking the CMF for the many gifts she has received, including a stunning gold watch, champagne and flowers, Pam says, “I’ve been very open to embracing those wider networks, in part perhaps because of my technical background from my metallurgical degree from Cardiff University then work at Cranfield, followed by time at BCIRA, and recognised early on that strong links with universities such as Cranfield, Birmingham, Brunel and Warwick were important to ensure our members were able to engage in new projects and drive innovation,” says Pam. “I have always been very conscious of the need to represent the industry positively, as a key foundation industry and part of the circular economy for metals, and to highlight the precision engineered components that the industry produces. “Perhaps most importantly I am pleased that our industry-led Net Zero Panel is now articulating the importance of improved competitiveness for the industry in the UK, as well as supporting greater sustainability.

She instigated the CMF’s adoption of the ‘Foundry in a Box’ schools demonstration kit, made famous by the American Foundry Society, bringing the idea to the UK. CMF currently has twenty of these kits out in the industry around the country alongside various other initiatives focussed on schools’ engagement in conjunction with The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers, ICME. “I am pleased that personally, and through my time at both ICME and then CMF, we have been able to continue to develop the training offer for the UK industry and provide those networking opportunities for young people in the industry, such as through the re-establishment of the industry’s National Conference, CASTcon.”

“It’s an exciting time to be handing over the reins,” says Pam. “As an important part of the foundation industries, and with a greater appreciation of the importance of our SMEs, and domestic manufacturing supply chains, for sovereign security and critical infrastructure, borne out of our experiences through COVID and continuing international uncertainties, we know that there should be opportunities for our Members.

“If the new Industrial Strategy for the UK can improve our competitiveness – and energy pricing and electrification are both key to this – and generate growth around the UK, combined with the greater appreciation we now have of the criticality of metals, then the future for the castings industry should be bright.”

“I have loved my time with CMF,” Pam says, reflecting on the past 10 years. “I’ve met lots of passionate people from the industry, visited many of our member companies around the UK, spoken at international events, had great support from many members and been fortunate to work with supportive teams. I am confident that Simon will be able to continue to support our members through what could be a transformative period for the Cast Metals Federation (CMF), our members and the wider UK metals sector.”