BEN MAY

INTERACTUAL FOUNDER & MD

For the last 25 years Ben has been taking risk out of product design development. He has guided design teams in the use of prototyping, testing and production strategies and technologies to achieve faster and more efficient design iteration resulting both in optimal solutions to user need and lower development costs for clients.

In his previous roles both as Production Director at IDC and Head of the Development Centre at PDD, he has been instrumental in achieving ISO 9001 and 13485 accreditation and embedding a culture that recognises that a quality process results in a quality product.

JAMES WREN

PRODUCT DESIGNER & MAKER

James graduated from Bournemouth University in 2021 with a degree in Product Design and joined Interactual shortly after.

Coming from an artistic background, James has an interest in aesthetics and a love for drawing and sketching. This enables him to convey ideas effectively as well as fully visualise designs. He is also very hands on and loves to make physical models and test rigs - essential tools when designing. James also uses physical models to problem solve alongside quickly developing solutions within CAD.

His other interests include bouldering, guitar, and running.

Bianca Patru

JUNIOR MECHATRONICS ENGINEER

Bianca is currently completing a 4-year BEng Robotics Engineering course at Queen Mary University of London and has joined the team during her placement year. Throughout her time at university, Bianca has developed her skills in programming and mechatronics design, enabling her to contribute effectively to various stages of a project, from initial concept development to prototype testing.

Bianca's interests lie in machine learning and human-robot interaction, areas where she actively seeks to expand her practical knowledge in her spare time. In her free time, she enjoys working on personal projects and reading thriller/crime novels, which align with her analytical and problem-solving skills.

CONOR FITZPATRICK

PRODUCT DESIGNER

Conor graduated from Loughborough University in 2018 with a BSc in Product Design and started working with Interactual shortly after.

Conor has a rare combination of skills that includes the creative and digital skills to deliver our sketching and CAD requirements, but also an affinity and talent with hand tools and machine tools borne of a childhood spent tinkering in the workshop and underpinned by thorough knowledge of engineering principles. This very much suits the Interactual approach of getting our hands dirty in the workshop as early as possible in the development cycle.

ATHARVA WANKHEDE

ENGINEERING DESIGNER

Atharva started working with Interactual after completing his Master's degree in Advanced Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield.  He wanted to work with a company that has different projects to be involved in and to get hands-on in all aspects. 

Atharva’s love of mechanical things started very young when his uncle gave him a game with many tiny parts and screws to put together. His father is also an electrical engineer.

Having moved to London, Atharva is enjoying exploring his local area as well as finding new badminton and football clubs to play both sports competitively.

ROY HIGGINS

ENGINEERING DESIGNER

Roy has recently started working with the team at Interactual in his first engineering job.  He graduated from the University of Hertford in 2019 with a BEng in Aerospace Engineering when the Covid pandemic hit.  Having found a local job in the interim, Roy kept up to date with all things engineering and looked for the right opportunity to apply the many skills learnt during his degree.

Roy enjoys his job as a hobby too, using his own personal 3D printer in his spare time to make prototypes and fix things. Roy’s other hobbies include exploring the Surrey countryside, especially the Epsom Downs.

IAN GARRETT

SENIOR PROTOTYPE ENGINEER AND MODEL MAKER

Having previously freelanced for longer than he wishes to remember and now a member of the Interactual team, Ian has years of technical knowledge and expertise in both model and pattern making across a wide variety of market sectors. Ian has that rare combination of skills that enable him to undertake both high end modelmaking and finishing and precision engineering for technical and functional rigs, jigs and fixtures.

His other interests include motorbikes (what a surprise given his photo!) and planes having previously held his private pilots licence.

DEAN CARRAN

MD, JNDC

Dean has a degree in Aerospace Engineering, a Masters in Professional Engineering and undertook a PHD in aircraft structures. He established JNDC Ltd in 2007, initially to offer specialist engineering Design for Manufacture (DfM) consultancy to the aerospace industry and has since diversified into a range of sectors from oil and gas to medical and consumer products.

JNDC has developed design concepts right through to production, with the key focus of developing products that are aligned to the customers specification, to quality, to specification, and importantly manufactured to a cost that complements the customers business model.

MATT CANDY

CEO, STEAMOLOGY

After training in Industrial Design, Matt has spent 25 years working as a designer and project manager for a wide range of companies, from start-ups to global brands across many markets including the automotive, aviation, medical and FMCG sectors.

Matt has considerable experience managing large scale projects including the design development and production of the J2000 Virgin Upper Class Seat and running the team that established the current FIA land speed record for a steam powered car.

STEFAN DZISIEWSKI-SMITH

ELECTRONIC DESIGN ENGINEER - DENKI JIN ELECTRONICS

With over 15 years experience working across four continents, Stefan has a breadth of knowledge across a range of electronic disciplines. Beyond core expertise in consumer electronics, IoT sensor platforms, and digital art, Stefan’s design studio, Denki-Jin Electronics has a network of consultants with specific capabilities including RF design, EMC & compliance, and app development as well as manufacturing links in the UK, Europe, the USA, and Asia.

KATIE HICKS

SPECIALIST TECHNICAL SOURCING

Katie focuses on researching and identifying potential suppliers in China and Asia by communicating specifications and requirements, discussing samples and shipping arrangements, and negotiating terms and costs on behalf of companies and individuals in the UK and Europe.

Katie’s experience of dealing with manufacturers comes from her time working at Alibaba, the largest B2B platform in China. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Her experience and language skills help connect buyers here with suppliers in Asia.

She enjoys cooking and loves to share food with family and friends.