Tom Willshare
Mechanical Engineer, VP R&D, Product Development, CTO. That sort of thing.
Hi, I'm Tom. I'm an engineer interested in combining mechanical, electronic, software and data engineering with biology and chemistry principles to solve to big problems. Most of my work for the last 5 years has been through my consultancy FewerMovingParts, but currently I'm on the exciting start-up adventure as co-founder and CTO at Spotlight Health.
I've a Master's degree in Mechanical and Design Engineering, with additional courses in commercialising new technologies. I'm a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers here in the UK.
This pages acts a bit of a CV, with some info about my career so far, the stuff i'm good at, and my areas of interest. There's then a section on the patents i've helped companies develop over the last 18yrs or so.
You can also see some little projects i've made while larning new things here: Projects
My Experience so far
Spotlight Health - CTO (2023-present)
Spotlight Health is a biotech start up focused on women's health. We're developing a AI tool to improve the diagnosis of endometriosis by automatically analysing ultrasound images.
Fewer Moving Parts - Director (2019-present)
Fewer Moving Parts is a Systems Engineering consultancy with a focus on improving lives. We specialise in realising ideas in the Scientific, Consumer Goods and Energy industry, helping inventors and innovators make functional prototypes to take their concepts forward. The company has played a key role in helping multiple companies get products from idea to sale.
miDiagnostics - VP Product Development (2020-2024)
Management team role leading the product development activities at miDiagnostics. Initial focus on an ultra-fast Point of Care PCR platform based on unique silicon chip technology from imec (Leuven, Belgium) and developed in close collaboration with Johns Hopkins University. The product was successfully launched under CE-IVD in 29 April 2022 with a roadmap of additional assays and functionality to follow.
QuantuMDx - System Technical Lead (2016-2019)
Leadership position working on multiple projects in the design, development and commercialisation of a portable molecular diagnostic device, working to ISO:13485. CE-IVD Product launched 9th July 2021. Responsible for leading instrument and disposable activities across the assay, clinical assay, chemistry, engineering and software functions to ensure that all aspects of the platform deliver the required end user requirements, features and functions.
National Oilwell Varco - New Product Development Manager (2011-2016)
Led the Pressure Performance Systems (PPS) New Product Development team within NOV. Responsible for coordinating New Product Development globally, with team members based in the UK and North America, reporting to the Global Director of Operations. The role involved assessing new technologies and managing the stage gate process to ensure work is directed towards the most viable and valuable projects. I was required to assess the business case in each instance as well as negotiate the technical hurdles associated with bringing a new product to market. The projects were taken from concept through iterative design stages and validation testing, and finally to launch.
Proctor and Gamble - Mechanical Engineer (2008-2011)
Responible for the modification of high speed packaging equipment to accomodate new product rolls outs. Developed 3D CAD models and used excel to parametrically design modification parts. Accurately detailed a 2D CAD packaging floor layout, and worked closely with site services to rearrange the equipment to allow successful introduction of automated pallet delivery trucks as part of the 'win the decade' project.
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