If you’ve ever wondered how everyday products such as medicines, fuels, plastics, foods, electronics are manufactured safely, consistently and at scale, the answer almost always involves industrial process automation. It’s a field that quietly powers modern life, yet very few outside the engineering world truly understand how it works.
This March, you have a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of this extraordinary discipline. With nearly four decades of global experience in process automation, I’ll be delivering a talk that offers a rare, accessible, and compelling introduction to the technologies and engineering roles that keep the world’s industries running smoothly.
Whether you’re an engineering student, a working professional, a curious technologist, or simply someone who enjoys learning how things work, this talk promises to be eye‑opening and inspiring.
Here’s what makes it unmissable.
A Guided Tour Through the Heart of Modern Industry
When most people imagine industrial production, they tend to picture huge machines, complex piping and massive factory floors. While that’s certainly part of the story, the real magic, and much of the intelligence, comes from the automation systems that coordinate, monitor and control every part of the process.
In my talk I will try to unravel this world. I’ll introduce you to the many engineering disciplines that converge to bring a product from concept to large‑scale manufacture:
- Chemical engineers, who scale up the creation of specialty chemicals from beaker-sized experiments to tonne‑scale production.
- Process engineers, who design the plant itself, working out the sizes of vessels, pumps, motors, and all supporting infrastructure.
- Mechanical engineers, who design and arrange the pipework, vessels, and physical structures.
- Instrument engineers, who specify the sensors and transmitters that allow plants to measure temperature, pressure, flow, composition and countless other variables.
- Electrical engineers, who design the power systems that keep pumps, heaters and motors running safely and reliably.
But the story doesn’t end with these building blocks. In fact, this is where automation truly takes centre stage.
The Automation Engineer: The Conductor of the Industrial Orchestra
Every modern production facility, whether it’s refining crude oil, brewing beer, producing pharmaceuticals or generating electricity, depends on one crucial role: the automation engineer.
I describe this role as ‘automation engineers are the ones who bring everything together’. They are the problem‑solvers and integrators who transform a collection of machines, sensors and circuits into a fully coordinated process capable of producing consistent, high‑quality products, day after day, year after year.
In the talk, you’ll see how automation engineers:
- Program control systems that respond instantly to changes in the process
- Create complex safety systems that prevent accidents
- Design interfaces that allow operators to monitor, understand and manage vast industrial operations
- Analyse huge flows of real-time data to optimise performance
- Troubleshoot issues that could halt production or cause quality problems
It’s a role that blends engineering, computing and deep process understanding, all while requiring creativity, precision and resilience.
For anyone interested in technology or engineering, I hope that the insights I share with you will be illuminating.
A Speaker With 40 Years on the Cutting Edge of Automation
I spent nearly four decades working for major international suppliers of process automation systems. My career took me across the world, solving real engineering challenges in industries ranging from chemicals to energy to high‑tech manufacturing.
This isn’t a theoretical lecture, it’s a practical, experience‑rich, real‑world exploration from someone who has lived and breathed automation on a global scale. Expect:
- First-hand insights
- Memorable stories
- Clear explanations
- Thought‑provoking examples
And because I’ve spent years explaining complex systems to both technical and non‑technical audiences, you will hopefully get a talk that is both accessible and fascinating.
Who Should Attend?
This talk is perfect for:
Students
If you’re considering a career in engineering, automation or industrial technology, this session will give you an invaluable glimpse into an exciting and future‑proof field.
Professionals
Engineers, operators, technicians, IT professionals and managers will benefit from refreshing their knowledge or gaining new perspectives on how industrial systems fit together.
Curious minds
Even if you have no technical background, you’ll leave with a much deeper appreciation of the systems that produce nearly everything around you.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 3rd March
(Earlier than the usual second‑Tuesday schedule due to venue availability.)
Venue:
Meeting Room, Institute of Technology Building
Crawley College, College Road
Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 1NR
Time:
Refreshments from 6:30pm
Talk begins at 7:00pm
See the IET Sussex Network home page for details of how to get to the venue and how to register.
Why This Talk Matters Now More Than Ever
We live in an age where automation shapes everything, from how we manufacture life‑saving medicines to how we produce sustainable energy. Understanding automation is no longer just an engineering curiosity; it’s essential knowledge for anyone interested in the world’s future.
As technologies like AI, digital twins and advanced robotics accelerate, the foundations I’ll cover become even more relevant. My talk offers a chance to grasp the underlying principles that make these innovations possible.
Hopefully you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of:
- How complex processes are controlled
- Why automation is vital for safety, efficiency and innovation
- How different engineering disciplines collaborate
- What skills and technologies will drive the next era of industry
Join Us for an Inspiring Evening
Whether you come for professional development, academic interest or simple curiosity, this talk promises to expand your understanding and spark your imagination. Industrial automation may operate behind the scenes, but its impact is everywhere and this is your chance to explore that world with an expert guide.
Mark your calendar, bring a friend or colleague and prepare for an evening of insight, discovery and inspiration.