Phil moved to Cranfield in 2009 and holds the Royal Academy of Engineering and Airbus Chair in Aero-structure Design. He was previously an Associate Professor and the head of the Robotics Research Group at the University of Nottingham. For the last 13 years, Phil has been conducting research on the application of automation to aircraft and aero-engine structural assembly. During this time, he has worked with most of the world’s leading aerospace companies. He has completed many research projects, including fuselage assembly, robotic riveting, engine structural assembly, wing and pylon systems installation and robotic plasma welding, and has obtained significant research funding from Industry, EPSRC and the European Framework programmes. His other research interests are the application and optimisation of Parallel Kinematic Machines within aerospace manufacturing and mobile robotics. Phil is a member of the Council of the British Automation and Robotics Association and represents the UK on the General Assembly of the International Federation of Robotics. He is also a member of the SAE Automated Assembly and Fastening Committee.