Justin Kelly DBA (Hon), BEng, CEng

CEO | Board Director | Strategic Advisor | Sustainability & Innovation Leader

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Justin Kelly is a transformational CEO and board-level leader with a distinguished career spanning over three decades across industrial, digital, infrastructure, and sustainability sectors. Renowned for his strategic foresight, innovation leadership, and ability to drive impactful change, Justin has held senior executive and non-executive roles in global corporations, pioneering start-ups, and public sector initiatives.

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Currently serving as CEO of Glass Futures, Justin leads a global not-for-profit research and technology organisation dedicated to decarbonising the glass and broader materials sectors. Under his leadership, Glass Futures has evolved into a world-first Global Centre of Excellence, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application. The organisation connects industry with academia to demonstrate disruptive technologies that make glass and other materials zero carbon and sustainable. Justin has overseen the launch of the world’s first 30-tonne multi-fuel hybrid research furnace and secured multimillion-pound investments, positioning the organisation as a global leader in sustainable innovation.

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He is also the founder of J Kelly Limited, through which he advises international corporations, SMEs, and public sector bodies on strategy, innovation, and sustainable growth. His recent roles include Interim CEO of the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), where he led the creation of a nationally funded organisation to position Greater Manchester as a leader in sustainable materials and manufacturing.

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Justin spent over 25 years at Siemens, ultimately serving on the Executive Management Board of Siemens UK & Ireland. In this role, he led strategic transformation across key functions including communications, business development, and sustainability. His leadership helped position Siemens as a trusted and innovative B2B technology brand, while driving growth, operational excellence, and measurable progress toward the company’s Net Zero goals.

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A Chartered Engineer and recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Salford, Justin is a passionate advocate for innovation, skills development, and inclusive leadership. He has held numerous non-executive roles, including with the Greater Manchester Business Board, Transport for the North, Sustainable Ventures, and Bright Futures Educational Trust.

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Justin is widely respected for his ability to unite stakeholders across sectors, build high-performing teams, and deliver measurable impact in complex, high-stakes environments.

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