James Widmer

CEO Advanced Electric Machines

Professor James Widmer has a part time chair in Electric Propulsion Systems at Coventry University where he is working with the university to develop a leading research and skills agenda around Power Electronics, Drives and Machines. James remains part time Director of the Advanced Propulsion Centre’s Electric Machines Spoke, based at Newcastle University in the North East of England. The Advanced Propulsion Centre is the UK funding body for low carbon vehicle research and as a Director of one of its technical spokes, Dr Widmer is responsible for bringing together the UK electric machines community - drawn from both academia and industry - in order to drive world-class innovation. James is also CEO of Newcastle University spinout company Advanced Electric Machines Ltd which is working to bring to market the world’s most sustainable electric traction motors.  

Until March 2018, James led Newcastle University’s Centre for Advanced Electrical Drives, which designs electric machines for clients as varied as Jaguar Land Rover and Airbus.  James joined Newcastle University in December 2009 from a senior position in the aerospace industry and has a PhD in the design of rare-earth magnet free, electric traction motors.

Fields of Expertise Professor Widmer is an expert in the design and development of rare earth magnet free traction drives, having (whilst with Newcastle University) worked extensively on their development with clients Cummins and Jaguar Land Rover. Prof Widmer also has significant experience in the development of very high efficiency, but low mass electric drives for use in aerospace propulsion. He is also experience in the development of drives for use in industrial and consumer goods applications.

 Prof Widmer is also an experienced Project Director and Engineering Manager having led very large projects in the aerospace industry.