The Design and Technology Association welcomes new Chair of the Association

Published 19th January 2022

The Design and Technology Association is delighted to welcome Bill Williams as Chair of the Association from the start of 2022.

Bill recently took on the position of Group CEO of the Alloy Fabweld Group (AFG), a UK leader of innovation in the design, manufacture and installation of architectural metalwork and modular products in the construction sector. Prior to this he led the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) as its Chief Executive. CEME is a leading UK industrial institution devoted to the UK Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology sectors. Amongst other things, CEME is home to over 100 technology organisations in the early-stage growth and/or scale-up phase.

Following a rigorous selection procedure, Bill has been appointed from his position as Vice-Chair, which he has held since 2019. Bill has been a Trustee of the Association since 2015 and brings over twenty years of strategy and leadership experience to the role.

“It is a really exciting time for the association and the subject, and I am looking forward to being a part of the next phase of supporting our members and the government with their ambitions for Design and Technology”

Bill succeeds Lesley Morris, who has been Chair of the Design and Technology Association since 2015 and has served on the board of Trustees for the last ten years. Lesley brought her experience, gained through her years working as an interior designer and in design education and latterly as Head of Strategy Unit at the Design Council, to push the Association to record membership numbers as the organisation reshaped itself to tackle the challenges faced by the subject in recent years. We are indebted to her for her time and dedication to the role.

” I feel privileged to have been able to work with the Association over many years – supporting the subject I’m passionate about. Design and technology education in schools is so important to our future, nurturing the next generation of creative, innovative talent. I’m delighted to be handing over to Bill who I know will very ably continue to help develop and grow the Association”

This change in leadership comes at an exciting time for the Association as membership numbers now stand at record levels (28,000 and rising). The organisation is focused on continuing to support D&T teachers and recruit more of them, lobbying hard for the subject to be recognised within the Ebacc and linking the worlds of education and business through its Blueprint 1000 initiative.