The Centre for Modelling & Simulation (CFMS), the Bristol-based specialist body aiming to transform digital engineering, has made a senior appointment to help it complete its pioneering projects.
Dr James Osborne, pictured, joins CFMS, which is based on the Bristol & Bath Science Park, as technology programmes manager. He will work closely with the organisation’s chief technology officer (CTO) Ian Risk to oversee both commercial and funded projects – as well as CFMS-specific activity for the new centre for Digital Engineering Technology & Innovation (DETI) project. 
A systems engineer by trade, Dr Osborne has spent much of his career working in the space industry, most recently with the global, mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat.
After graduating from the University of Southampton’s with a first-class honours degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics with Materials Science, he became a research assistant in the university’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
In 2018, he led a multi-disciplinary research team as part of an international joint venture which researched, developed and demonstrated novel technologies for future satellite communication systems.
Following more than 20 years in the space industry, Dr Osborne went on to work as the head of systems engineering for SVGC, a defence industry consultancy based near Salisbury.
CFMS enables high-value manufacturers in the aerospace, automotive, transport, energy and construction sectors to accelerate design and manufacturing productivity and competitiveness for their products, processes and services.
A not-for-profit organisation, its aim is to advance high-value design (HVD) in the UK through its four core service lines – data science, advanced simulation, model-based engineering, and engineering computing services – and to be the go-to independent, digital test bed for the design of high-value engineering products and processes.
Its digital test beds give a far greater understanding of how a product will perform throughout its lifecycle, creating a virtual replica of systems and processes used for investigation of options and opportunities in advance of physical development.
As a partner in DETI, the £10m collaboration between industry and academic partners led by the Bristol & Bath Science Park-based National Composites Centre (NCC), it is working to benefit future generations of engineers and engineering products and to help tackle global challenges.
Prof Risk said: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Osborne to the team. Not only is he a talented engineer but has a range of business experiences that will be vital in establishing DETI and supporting the growth of CFMS through an expanding collaborative research portfolio.
“James’ knowledge and career history aligns perfectly to these needs and makes him perfectly placed to support us at this critical time.”
Dr Osborne added: “CFMS is a growing organisation that is recognised for its proven technical expertise and knowledge, offering the opportunity to focus on exciting projects such as DETI. I am looking forward to working with the team and driving forward its growth in digital engineering capability.”
Last summer the CFMS appointed the highly respected former Airbus UK managing director Prof Iain Gray as chairman.
