Chris McDonald

Chris McDonald

“Provides expert opinion and consultancy support to companies, institutes, Governments and public bodies in innovation and technology strategy”

Strategic Adviser

MA, MEng, MBA, CEng, FIChemE, FIMMM

Chris McDonald is a Strategic Adviser to the Materials Processing Institute. The Institute carries out industrial research and innovation in advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation and the circular economy and has been supporting the materials, processing and energy sectors for over 75 years. Chris led the divestment and return to independent, not-for-profit ownership of the Institute in 2014.

Chris’s background is in industrial research and manufacturing, where he has worked internationally. A graduate of Cambridge University, Chris is a Fellow the Institute of Chemical Engineers and of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He sits on industrial advisory boards at a number of universities, including Oxford and Sheffield.

Chris has an interest in innovation management and industry dynamics and in addition to leading the Institute, he provides expert opinion and consultancy support to companies, institutes, Governments and public bodies in innovation and technology strategy and management. He also advises on the technical due diligence aspects of mergers and acquisitions.

Chris is prominent in the development of public policy, around innovation, steel, SMEs, where he works to support growth and inward investment. Chris is the policy chair for Innovation and Enterprise for the Federation of Small Businesses, a member of the CBI Regional Council and Shadow Monetary Policy Committee for the North East, the Innovation lead for the UK Metals Council and a member of the Steel Advisory Board for UK Steel (EEF).

Chris is often called to commentate in the media on innovation leadership and the steel industry.