Manufacturing engineer Professor Paul Conway FREng to lead engineering and physical sciences at Surrey

After an extensive international search, Professor Conway has been appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of FEPS, starting his role on 4 January 2027. 

Professor Conway, currently at Loughborough University, will take over from Professor Bob Nichol, who has led FEPS since 2022 and steps down at the end of his five-year term as Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean. 

At Loughborough, Paul has held several roles, including leading the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering as Dean from 2014 to 2025. 

Professor Conway’s research focuses on innovative electronic manufacturing processes, such as how sensors and smart technology can be built into devices and factories to trace provenance, diagnose issues early or mitigate environmental impact.  

Bringing industry and academia together sits at the core of Professor Conway’s career. He was the founding director of the Innovative Electronics Manufacturing Research Centre – an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)-funded national research centre that linked academic researchers with electronics manufacturers and their supply chains. He also directed the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence, which trained PhD researchers alongside industry partners. Throughout his career he has developed researchers who have become leaders in industry and academia, both in the UK and worldwide.  

Professor Conway is a trusted advisor to national organisations and governmental bodies. He is a former Chair of the EPSRC’s Strategic Advisory Team for Manufacturing the Future. He sits on the board of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and chairs the board of MTC Training Ltd. He currently serves as Deputy Chair for Engineering in the upcoming Research Excellence Framework (REF2029).