Dr. Kim Stansfield: Following degrees in materials science and technology, Kim initially worked for   his PhD sponsor within the MoD. In 1990 he moved to Lucas Engineering and Systems to work on a BRITE/Euram programme developing an in-line quality assured, flexible-automation manufacturing system for aerospace composite components. Here he was taught to apply Japanese TQM and concurrent engineering methods including QFD for complex system development. Over the following 26 years he worked in various engineering and management roles in automotive control systems, information systems and finally sustainable (economic, secure and environmental) energy systems development companies. During this time he continued applying QFD and Design for Six Sigma approaches to systems development.

He joined Warwick University WMG in 2016 where he became an Associate Professor in Transformational Systems Engineering teaching on transport-business sponsored apprentice B.Eng and M.Sc degrees. In 2021 he retired to focus on his ctraining business, VoCATE Ltd (Voice of the Customer Across The Ecosystem).  In 2010  he became the UK representative for the development of the ISO 16355 standard. In 2016 he became the 2^nd UK recipient of the Akao Prize for his contribution to the development of QFD. He became a core member of the INCOSE Working Group on 'Systems Engineering Quality Management' in 2017 and is a certified SEQM.  Since 2021 Kim has been an Associate Academician of the International Academy co-chairing the VoC ThinkTank. Kim is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the IET and INCOSE, a certified QFD Black Belt and in 2025 became a certified QFD MasterBlack Belt®.

John Fraser: John graduated from Brunel University with a Systems Engineering degree in 2002 and joined a UK Ministry of Defence Agency, where he has performed several engineering and quality roles e.g. configuration, design, requirements / systems engineering, quality improvement and quality engineering using Modern QFD. John successfully completed a sponsored post-graduate Cranfield University degree in Systems Engineering for Defence (SED) (2012 (p/t)).  John became interested in QFD when Traditional / Classical QFD (1966 – 1995) was introduced to him, during his final year of this Brunel graduate degree in 2001. Subsequently, studied QFD again (in 2011), as part of his SED MSc thesis dissertation on the evolution of Akao’s Traditional / Classical QFD and other advanced quality engineering tools. In 2014, John attended the INCOSE UK Tutorial Day, where Dr. Kim Stansfield introduced John to Modern QFD, as described within ISO 16355.

John is a Black Belt Practitioner in both Lean Six Sigma and QFD; and a member of the CQI and INCOSE. More recently, John has received Master Black Belt (MBB) training in Lean Six Sigma and Hoshin Kanri (Strategy Deployment) from a recipient of the Deming Medal. 

John has visited Japan on a Benchmarking Study Mission – learning Total Quality Management (TQM) theory from Japanese experts and then observing the application of TQM in Japanese factories applying in achieving the prestigious Deming Medal for quality.

John also has a passion for Agile approaches like Scrum – doing twice the work, in half the time! John is a certified Scrum Master, through Scruminc.

Dr. Kim Stansfield: Following degrees in materials science and technology, Kim initially worked for   his PhD sponsor within the MoD. In 1990 he moved to Lucas Engineering and Systems to work on a BRITE/Euram programme developing an in-line quality assured, flexible-automation manufacturing system for aerospace composite components. Here he was taught to apply Japanese TQM and concurrent engineering methods including QFD for complex system development. Over the following 26 years he worked in various engineering and management roles in automotive control systems, information systems and finally sustainable (economic, secure and environmental) energy systems development companies. During this time he continued applying QFD and Design for Six Sigma approaches to systems development.

He joined Warwick University WMG in 2016 where he became an Associate Professor in Transformational Systems Engineering teaching on transport-business sponsored apprentice B.Eng and M.Sc degrees. In 2021 he retired to focus on his ctraining business, VoCATE Ltd (Voice of the Customer Across The Ecosystem).  In 2010  he became the UK representative for the development of the ISO 16355 standard. In 2016 he became the 2^nd UK recipient of the Akao Prize for his contribution to the development of QFD. He became a core member of the INCOSE Working Group on 'Systems Engineering Quality Management' in 2017 and is a certified SEQM.  Since 2021 Kim has been an Associate Academician of the International Academy co-chairing the VoC ThinkTank. Kim is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the IET and INCOSE, a certified QFD Black Belt and in 2025 became a certified QFD MasterBlack Belt®.

John Fraser: John graduated from Brunel University with a Systems Engineering degree in 2002 and joined a UK Ministry of Defence Agency, where he has performed several engineering and quality roles e.g. configuration, design, requirements / systems engineering, quality improvement and quality engineering using Modern QFD. John successfully completed a sponsored post-graduate Cranfield University degree in Systems Engineering for Defence (SED) (2012 (p/t)).  John became interested in QFD when Traditional / Classical QFD (1966 – 1995) was introduced to him, during his final year of this Brunel graduate degree in 2001. Subsequently, studied QFD again (in 2011), as part of his SED MSc thesis dissertation on the evolution of Akao’s Traditional / Classical QFD and other advanced quality engineering tools. In 2014, John attended the INCOSE UK Tutorial Day, where Dr. Kim Stansfield introduced John to Modern QFD, as described within ISO 16355.

John is a Black Belt Practitioner in both Lean Six Sigma and QFD; and a member of the CQI and INCOSE. More recently, John has received Master Black Belt (MBB) training in Lean Six Sigma and Hoshin Kanri (Strategy Deployment) from a recipient of the Deming Medal. 

John has visited Japan on a Benchmarking Study Mission – learning Total Quality Management (TQM) theory from Japanese experts and then observing the application of TQM in Japanese factories applying in achieving the prestigious Deming Medal for quality.

John also has a passion for Agile approaches like Scrum – doing twice the work, in half the time! John is a certified Scrum Master, through Scruminc.

Tanya serves as a Systems Engineering Lead within Bechtel’s UK business. Based in London, she brings over two decades of engineering and systems experience across the rail, nuclear, defence, and energy sectors. In her current role, Tanya is responsible for setting the technical direction for systems engineering delivery, defining scope for multidisciplinary teams, and leading the rollout of a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. Her work integrates systems assurance, safety case development, and regulatory engagement to deliver cohesive end‑to‑end assurance solutions.

Throughout her career, Tanya has specialised in systems integration and assurance across the full project lifecycle, from early concept development through to entry into service and end‑of‑life considerations. She has held senior technical and leadership roles on major infrastructure programmes including HS2, East West Railway, Crossrail, and defence and nuclear projects. Tanya has a strong track record of helping organisations embed systems engineering ways of working and introduce MBSE, enabling more holistic delivery and improved stakeholder alignment.

Originally trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Tanya holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a Chartered and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. She is also a Certified Systems Engineering Practitioner (INCOSE). Tanya is passionate about supporting the successful integration of complex systems, mentoring engineering teams, and ensuring that technical, operational, and assurance considerations are aligned to achieve successful programme outcomes.

Tanya serves as a Systems Engineering Lead within Bechtel’s UK business. Based in London, she brings over two decades of engineering and systems experience across the rail, nuclear, defence, and energy sectors. In her current role, Tanya is responsible for setting the technical direction for systems engineering delivery, defining scope for multidisciplinary teams, and leading the rollout of a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach. Her work integrates systems assurance, safety case development, and regulatory engagement to deliver cohesive end‑to‑end assurance solutions.

Throughout her career, Tanya has specialised in systems integration and assurance across the full project lifecycle, from early concept development through to entry into service and end‑of‑life considerations. She has held senior technical and leadership roles on major infrastructure programmes including HS2, East West Railway, Crossrail, and defence and nuclear projects. Tanya has a strong track record of helping organisations embed systems engineering ways of working and introduce MBSE, enabling more holistic delivery and improved stakeholder alignment.

Originally trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Tanya holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a Chartered and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. She is also a Certified Systems Engineering Practitioner (INCOSE). Tanya is passionate about supporting the successful integration of complex systems, mentoring engineering teams, and ensuring that technical, operational, and assurance considerations are aligned to achieve successful programme outcomes.