Nick Shields has over 35 years’ experience working in both SMEs and multinational manufacturing firms such as Polaroid and Digital Equipment Corporation and a number smaller privately-owned firms. SMAS is the leading government agency in Scotland that assists businesses implement continuous improvement approaches and implementing productivity improvements.

Nick’s experience has been gained through senior management roles in several areas such as: operations management of high volume FMCG where he was responsible for restructuring the global manufacturing operation across US, UK and Far East, Engineering manager in a capital equipment manufacturer responsible for CAD/CAM implementation and a green-field factory build, new product introduction and product development within the electronics industry and management of a number of change management programmes using lean and 6 sigma techniques. 

Nick joined SMAS at Scottish Enterprise in 2007 and was appointed Director of SMAS in June 2011. Since then, Nick has led the team in its delivery of Lean, six sigma, Cultural change programmes such as Business Improvement Academy and supply chain improvement and development activities. Nick has also actively participated in the development of the infrastructure that now supports manufacturing across Scotland.

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