Engineer or Entrepreneur? What is the role of an engineer in today’s business environment?

Sir Terry Matthews discusses the advent of consumer engineering and the importance of business involvement of the engineers themselves.

With the move to outsourcing and off-shoring the role of the engineer in the western world is radically changing. It is no longer the case of ‘how to make something’ but more of a question of ‘what to make’ to enhance business profitability and increase the value of intellectual property.

In his keynote speech, Sir Terry Matthews will discuss how the engineering role has changed over the years, the advent of consumer engineering and how important it is that engineers become intrinsically involved with customers and businesses as a whole.

Sir Terence Matthews is Chairman of Wesley Clover and also serves as Chairman of Mitel and March Networks, two companies active in developing Internet Protocol (IP) systems for enterprise applications.

Prior to joining March Networks, he served as CEO and Chairman of Newbridge Networks Corporation, a company he founded in 1986. Providing leadership and vision for 14 years, Terry helped Newbridge become a leader in the worldwide data networking industry. When France-based Alcatel acquired Newbridge in May 2000, the company employed more than 6,500 employees and recorded FY 1999 revenue of $1.8 billion. In 1972, before launching Newbridge, Terry co-founded Mitel Corporation. Under his leadership Mitel grew quickly to become a world leader in the design and manufacture of enterprise voice systems and products. In 1985, British Telecom bought controlling interest in Mitel.

In 2001, Terry purchased the worldwide Communications Systems division of Mitel, and the Mitel name, and is now owner and non-executive Chairman of Mitel Corporation, a company focused on providing next generation IP telephony solutions for broadband networks. Terry also serves on the board of directors for a number of high technology companies and is Chairman or serves on the Board of Directors of Bridgewater Systems, Solace Systems and NewHeights Software.

In addition Terry holds an honours degree in electronics from the University of Wales, Swansea and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has been awarded honorary doctorates by several universities, including the University of Wales, Glamorgan and Swansea, and Carleton University in Ottawa. In 1994, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was awarded a Knighthood.

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