Rachel Eade is a Manufacturing and Supply Chain Specialist with over 20 years’ experience in business development management roles within transport manufacturing sectors and continues to play a pivotal role in evolving the SME business support offer working with and supporting UK OEMs and Tier 1s with growth and innovation support, whilst been passionate about supporting the future of the sector as an advocate for young people to enter STEM careers. With a wide ranging portfolio including Supply Chain Lead for the University of Birmingham`s Centre for Rail Research and Education, Board member of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, Director of RED Ltd, supply chain and manufacturing consultancy, Advisory Board member for TSC, rail, an Elected Member of the Automotive UK Council and a frequent Judge and Panel Member for many Manufacturing Awards, Guardian of the Standard of Wrought Plate at The Birmingham Assay office and newly elected Chair of the UK Metals Council.
She has been highly commended for her prominent work; in 2014 was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honor’s list for services to the automotive industry, in 2015 the Institute of Sheet Metal Engineering Gold Medal, Female Networker of the Year at the Birmingham 2017 Awards, 2020 KTNs Top 30 Women in Manufacturing, 2021 TSC Directors Award for Innovation leader, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.