Dr Rob Hardeman MBE MA, PhD
Independent Technology Consultant
Rob Hardeman retired from full-time employment in 2016 after 23 years as technologist, 6 sigma master black belt and senior director at Seagate Technology, Springtown, Northern Ireland. Latterly he held responsibility for large (>$100M) project management, business improvement (qualified EFQM assessor) and supplier development for new technology introduction.
By training he is a materials scientist with MA and PhD degrees from the University of Cambridge. A member of IoM3, his career included periods in industry, government research laboratories and in academia as a Senior Research Fellow. His principal interests were in nano-technology including lithography, PVD, CVD, ion beam techniques and in thin film magnetic materials. He also consulted in surface and interface analytical methods. He works with EPSRC (e.g. has been a member of the Manufacturing the Future & Materials Strategic Teams, chaired prioritization panels for activities such as the Active Building Centre and Faraday and currently is a member of the High Level Oversight Group for National Research Facilities and review team for Future Manufacturing Hubs) and the External Advisory Board of the Bragg Centre at University of Leeds.
Dr Hardeman and has chaired the Matrix Science Industry Panel advising the NI Department for Economy and led the Matrix 2016 Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Engineering study. He has chaired the Business & Environment Leadership Teams of Business in the Community (NI), having a longstanding interest in social innovation and environmental responsibility. He also had the privilege of being HRH The Prince of Wales Northern Ireland Ambassador for Responsible Business and was awarded the MBE for services to Advanced Materials, Manufacturing & Engineering in Northern Ireland in 2017.
He now lives and works as an independent technology consultant in NW England.
