Craig Spencer: Craig is the Head of Systems Engineering at Synoptix. His background is in Missile Systems with experiences ranging from algorithm development, simulation and modelling, functional and temporal architectures through to requirements definition and analysis. Craig worked as the Chief Systems Engineer on a Missile Seeker before moving to the more functional side of management at Dyson, growing and developing a small team of Systems Engineers before taking on his current role at Synoptix.

His current role requires him to influence and guide the direction of a modern and forward thinking Systems Engineering department while responding to modern day culture and communication challenges. Leading teams of people has been a passion of Craig’s for some time giving him exposure to a variety of good and bad communication situations. Nobody can communicate well all of the time, but each experience gives us an opportunity to reflect and improve. He has built up his own little library of books and knowledge to draw upon a wide variety of experts views that he likes to test out on his team.

Craig is a bit of a geek for requirements and will always be up for a good debate on the topic, or about a specific project.

Luke Ingham: Luke is a Chartered Engineer, and Principal Systems Engineering Consultant at Synoptix. With a consultancy background in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defence and energy, Luke is experienced in managing and communicating with a variety of stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for clients, on complex critical projects. Career exposure to working within and on behalf of several client organisations as a consultant, has provided Luke visibility into how different company cultures and habits impact communication, and ultimately the success of the team as a whole.

Gaining exposure to people management at a moderately early stage of his career, leading individuals of varying relative experience, Luke has gained valuable insights into individuals perceived barriers to communication. Luke is passionate about the development of his team and the importance of effective communication in their development.

Outside of work Luke is a keen cricketer and ECB qualified cricket coach, where a surprising amount of crossover exists with communication themes.

Craig Spencer: Craig is the Head of Systems Engineering at Synoptix. His background is in Missile Systems with experiences ranging from algorithm development, simulation and modelling, functional and temporal architectures through to requirements definition and analysis. Craig worked as the Chief Systems Engineer on a Missile Seeker before moving to the more functional side of management at Dyson, growing and developing a small team of Systems Engineers before taking on his current role at Synoptix.

His current role requires him to influence and guide the direction of a modern and forward thinking Systems Engineering department while responding to modern day culture and communication challenges. Leading teams of people has been a passion of Craig’s for some time giving him exposure to a variety of good and bad communication situations. Nobody can communicate well all of the time, but each experience gives us an opportunity to reflect and improve. He has built up his own little library of books and knowledge to draw upon a wide variety of experts views that he likes to test out on his team.

Craig is a bit of a geek for requirements and will always be up for a good debate on the topic, or about a specific project.

Luke Ingham: Luke is a Chartered Engineer, and Principal Systems Engineering Consultant at Synoptix. With a consultancy background in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defence and energy, Luke is experienced in managing and communicating with a variety of stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for clients, on complex critical projects. Career exposure to working within and on behalf of several client organisations as a consultant, has provided Luke visibility into how different company cultures and habits impact communication, and ultimately the success of the team as a whole.

Gaining exposure to people management at a moderately early stage of his career, leading individuals of varying relative experience, Luke has gained valuable insights into individuals perceived barriers to communication. Luke is passionate about the development of his team and the importance of effective communication in their development.

Outside of work Luke is a keen cricketer and ECB qualified cricket coach, where a surprising amount of crossover exists with communication themes.

Simon Perry holds Bachelors degrees from both the University of Leeds and the Open University. Since gaining his degree in Mathematics in 1986 he has spent nearly 30 years working in all aspects of software and systems engineering. Simon often speaks at systems engineering conferences and is the co-author of eleven books in the field of applied Model-based Systems Engineering. Simon is a Director and Principal Consultant for Scarecrow Consultants Ltd, providing consultancy, training and conducting research in the application of systems engineering. He works in industry, government and academia and has applied his work across many disciplines in a wide range of industries including defence, the nuclear industry, timber engineering, finance and train manufacture. He is a Member of the IET, ISKO and INCOSE, and is a Certified Facilitator in the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology.

Jessica Korzeniowska has been a Systems Engineer for over 8 years and is a Consultant at Scarecrow Consultants Ltd. Jessica holds a masters in spacecraft engineering from the University of Southampton where she first learned the use of Systems Engineering in the development of spacecraft. Throughout her degree she was involved in a myriad of STEM and space themed outreach activities, with the aim of making the unattainable ‘it’s rocket science’ perception of space endeavours more accessible to school children, Brownie groups and curious adults alike. Over her career she has worked in several different technical contexts,building expertise in practical implementation of Systems Engineering and engagement of organisations with the discipline. In 2022 she was named as a finalist in the Top 50 Women in Engineering, placing her as one of the top 100 engineers in the U.K. She is also most recently the author of the INCOSE UK publication ‘Adventures in Systems Engineering’, an interactive fantasy training adventure aimed at giving early career professionals an understanding of Systems Engineering to apply in their day-to-day work in complex engineering projects. 

Dr. Kim Stansfield: Following degrees in materials science and technology, in 1987 Kim initially worked in the composite-materials group 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 learned 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 spend more time with his family, to be an occasional lecturer for Warick WMG and to develop his training and consulting business, VoCATE Ltd (Voice of the Customer Across The Ecosystem).

In 2010 Kim became the UK representative for the development of the ISO 16355 standard for Modern QFD. In 2016 he became the 2nd UK recipient of the Akao Prize for excellence in 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. In 2021 Kim was invited to become an associate of the International Academy of Quality co-chairing the Voice of the Customer ThinkTank, and is now a full academician. Kim is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the IET and INCOSE, a certified QFD Black Belt and in 2025 became a certified QFD Master Black Belt®.

John FraserJohn 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.

Simon Perry holds Bachelors degrees from both the University of Leeds and the Open University. Since gaining his degree in Mathematics in 1986 he has spent nearly 30 years working in all aspects of software and systems engineering. Simon often speaks at systems engineering conferences and is the co-author of eleven books in the field of applied Model-based Systems Engineering. Simon is a Director and Principal Consultant for Scarecrow Consultants Ltd, providing consultancy, training and conducting research in the application of systems engineering. He works in industry, government and academia and has applied his work across many disciplines in a wide range of industries including defence, the nuclear industry, timber engineering, finance and train manufacture. He is a Member of the IET, ISKO and INCOSE, and is a Certified Facilitator in the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology.

Jessica Korzeniowska has been a Systems Engineer for over 8 years and is a Consultant at Scarecrow Consultants Ltd. Jessica holds a masters in spacecraft engineering from the University of Southampton where she first learned the use of Systems Engineering in the development of spacecraft. Throughout her degree she was involved in a myriad of STEM and space themed outreach activities, with the aim of making the unattainable ‘it’s rocket science’ perception of space endeavours more accessible to school children, Brownie groups and curious adults alike. Over her career she has worked in several different technical contexts,building expertise in practical implementation of Systems Engineering and engagement of organisations with the discipline. In 2022 she was named as a finalist in the Top 50 Women in Engineering, placing her as one of the top 100 engineers in the U.K. She is also most recently the author of the INCOSE UK publication ‘Adventures in Systems Engineering’, an interactive fantasy training adventure aimed at giving early career professionals an understanding of Systems Engineering to apply in their day-to-day work in complex engineering projects.

Dr. Kim Stansfield: Following degrees in materials science and technology, in 1987 Kim initially worked in the composite-materials group 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 learned 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 spend more time with his family, to be an occasional lecturer for Warick WMG and to develop his training and consulting business, VoCATE Ltd (Voice of the Customer Across The Ecosystem).

In 2010 Kim became the UK representative for the development of the ISO 16355 standard for Modern QFD. In 2016 he became the 2nd UK recipient of the Akao Prize for excellence in 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. In 2021 Kim was invited to become an associate of the International Academy of Quality co-chairing the Voice of the Customer ThinkTank, and is now a full academician. Kim is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the IET and INCOSE, a certified QFD Black Belt and in 2025 became a certified QFD Master Black Belt®.

John FraserJohn 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, in 1987 Kim initially worked in the composite-materials group 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 learned 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 spend more time with his family, to be an occasional lecturer for Warick WMG and to develop his training and consulting business, VoCATE Ltd (Voice of the Customer Across The Ecosystem).

In 2010 Kim became the UK representative for the development of the ISO 16355 standard for Modern QFD. In 2016 he became the 2nd UK recipient of the Akao Prize for excellence in 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. In 2021 Kim was invited to become an associate of the International Academy of Quality co-chairing the Voice of the Customer ThinkTank, and is now a full academician. Kim is a Chartered Engineer, a member of the IET and INCOSE, a certified QFD Black Belt and in 2025 became a certified QFD Master Black Belt®.

John FraserJohn 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.