Chris McDonald (engineer)

Chris McDonald (born in 1976) is an English chemical engineer and business executive with extensive experience in setting industrial policy. Since 2014, McDonald has been CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, after leading its divestment from Tata Steel.

In 2023, he was selected as the next Labour candidate for the Stockton North constituency.

Early career

Born in County Durham in North East England, McDonald held an at British Steel, before going on to read Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge. Upon graduating, he worked in various roles in the steel industry, but focused on research.[1]

McDonald ran a research division within Tata Steel, directing operations in the Netherlands and across two sites in the UK. Over the course of his career, Chris has worked closely with policymakers, officials and multinational companies, to support the development of industrial policy. He has also written many papers on the steel industry.

Recent career

In 2014, McDonald led the divestment of Tata Steel UK's research and development centre in Grangetown, which would form the independent Materials Processing Institute, becoming it's CEO.[2] In 2016, he launched the Institute's commercial steel-making operation from its facility on Teesside.[3][4][5]

In 2018, McDonald appeared on BBC Radio 4 Today, to discuss the future of the British steel industry.[6][7][8][9][10] As CEO of the Materials Processing Institute, McDonald helped secure a £3m investment from the Tees Valley Growth Deal to build the Institute's SME Technology Centre.[11] He has also oversaw the development of a doctoral academy at the Institute, "The Millman Scholarships".[12]

Politics

In march 2023, McDonald was selected as Parliamentary candidate for Labour in the next election for the constituency of Stockton North, to replace Alex Cunningham, who will stand down.[13][14] On being selected, he said his two main priorities were "creating opportunities for young people" and transitioning industry, particularly in Billingham, "to [a] green industry"[15]

References
  1. Hughes, Mike. "Chris McDonald of MPI in Middlesbrough gives Hatfield Lecture". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  2. Barley, Sophie (3 December 2014). "TATA Steel UK'S research and development centre returns to independent ownership". TeessideLive. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  3. "Commercial steel-making returns to Teesside - The Manufacturer". The Manufacturer. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  4. Tovey, Alan (2016-03-14). "Teesside gains new hope with launch of specialised steel plant". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  5. Hughes, Mike (2016-03-14). "Tees testing facility to start producing and selling own steel". gazettelive. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  6. "Meet the MD: Chris McDonald, Materials Processing Institute". Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  7. "Materials Processing Institute managing director to speak at Chinese steel conference | Steel Times International". www.steeltimesint.com. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  8. Samantha Lee (2015-08-05), Chris McDonald, MPI CEO, full interview for The Politics Show, retrieved 2018-07-06
  9. McDonald, Chris (2016-04-03). "We cannot afford to allow British steel producers to rust in peace". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  10. "The future of steel in Britain - The Manufacturer". The Manufacturer. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  11. "£3m funding boost for Teesside steel centre of excellence". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  12. Hughes, Mike. "Teesside mum wins prestigious scholarship - after taking an eight-year break". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  13. Lightfoot, Gareth (7 March 2023). "Chris McDonald selected as Labour candidate for Stockton North". TeessideLive. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  14. Jones, Leigh. "Local party members select candidate for next election as MP plans to retire". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  15. Lightfoot, Gareth (7 March 2023). "New Labour candidate Chris McDonald: 'I'm raring to go'". TeessideLive. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
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